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A 

HISTORY 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

ON A PLAN 

ADAPTED TO THE CAPACITY OF YOUTH, 

AND DESIGNED 

TO AID THE MEMORY BY SYSTEMATIC ARRANGEMENT AND 
INTERESTING ASSOCIATIONS. 



By CHARLES A.^ GOODRICH. 



ENLARGED FROM THE 
ONE HUNDREDTH EDITION. 

Containia? General Views of the Aboriginal Tribes— Sketches of the Discoveries 
and Selllements made by different Nations— the Progress of the Colo- 
rties— the Revolution— the several Administrations, including those of 
Jaclcson and Van Buren, and the brief but eventful one of 
Harrison— the whole interspersed with Notices of the dif- 
ferent Eras of the Progress of Manners, Religion, 
Trade and Commerce, Agriculture, Arts and 
Manufactures, Population and Education. 

BOSTON: 

JENKS & PALMER. 

1843. 



t* 



Entered according lo Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by 

CHARLES A. GOODRICH, 
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. 



iir'? '<"X^ 



WORCESTER'S READING BOOKS, 
PUBLISHED BY JENKS iV; PALMER, 

AND FOR SALE BY THE BOOKSELLERS GENERALLY. 



WORCESTER'S FIRST BOOK, or Primer. 
WORCESTER'S SECOND BOOK for Reading and Spelling. 
WORCESTER'S INTRODUCTION TO THIRD BOOK,— with Rules and In- 
structions for avoiding common errors. 
WORCESTER'S THIRD BOOK for Reading and Spelling, with Rules and 

Instructions for avoiding common errors. 
WORCESTER'S FOURTH BOOK for Reading, with Rules and Instructions. 

The above form a complete series of Reading Books, which are not surpassed 
by any other works for this purpose now before the public. The Rules which 
are inserted in t\\e third and fourth books have been found by instructors very 
useful in correcting the young reader, while they give great assistance to the 
teacher. 

George B. Emerson, Esa., an eminent teacher of Boston, remarks in a let- 
ter to the Publishers, dated October, 1841,— 

"Ever since I first became acquainted with Mr. Worcester's books, they 
have seemed to me better adapted, than any other series that has come to my 
knowledge, to the capacities and wants both of learners and teachers of the 
Elementary Schools. They are not, like most others intended for this purpose, 
a mere compilation : to a great extent they are original. 

" The remarks to Teachers, the notices of errors to be avoided, and the ques- 
tions to aid the understanding of the learner, are all of great value : but what is 
of far greater, is the elevated moral tone which pervades these lessons, fitting 
them not only to exercise the mind and communicate the art of reading, but to 
do much for that better and usually neglected part of education, the formation 
of the moral character, and ihe education of the moral aflections." 

And in regard to the Introduction to the Third Book, just publishei^ Mr. 
Emerson adds, " I welcome this as an addition to an invaluable series." 






PREFACE. 

In the year 1834, the present work underwent a thorough 
revision, involving several important alterations and additions ; 
the latter in compliance with a suggestion of the late distin- 
guished principal* of the Female Seminary in Weihersfield, 
Ct., whose public recommendation of the work was as flatter- 
ing as it was unexpected. It had then reached nearly its 
fiftieth edition. Since that revision, it has been annually 
issued, to meet the demands of a growing population, to the 
present time. 

Meanwhile, time has travelled on, and the important admin- 
istrations of Gen. Jackson and Mr. Van Buren, and the short, 
but eventful administration of Gen. Harrison, have transpired. 
The present edition includes the principal events of those 
administrations, and concludes with the death of the lamented 
Harrison, of which a circumstantial account is given. As to 
time, therefore, the work is now as complete as can be desired. 
The principal object of dividing the History into periods, is to 
aid the memory, by presenting certain marked eras, from 
which the whole subject of dates may be readily and distinctly 
viewed. 

Two sizes of type are employed. The matter in larger 
type is designed to give a brief outline of the History of the 
United States, and may be read in connection. The matter 
in smaller type is to be regarded rather in the light of notes, 
which, without studying exact regularity, are thrown in as 
they may subserve the purposes of illustration and complete- 
ness in the delineation of events, or as they may contribute to 
support the interest and establish the recollections of the 
reader. 

March, 1843. 

* Rev. Joseph Emerson. 



INTRODUCTION 



The study of History presents the following- advantages : — 

1. It sets before us striking instances of virtue, enterprise, courage, 
generosity, patriotism ; and, by a natural principle of emulation, in- 
cites us to copy such noble examples. History also presents us with 
pictures of the vicious ultimately overtaken by misery and shame, and 
thus solemnly warns us against vice. 

2. History, to use the words of Professor Tytler, is the school of 
politics. That is, it opens the hidden springs of human affairs 5 the 
causes of the rise, grandeur, revolutions and fall of empires : it points 
out the influence which the manners of a people exert upon a govern- 
ment, and the influence which that government reciprocally exerts upon 
the manners of a people : it illustrates the blessings of political union, 
and the miseries of faction ; the dangers of unbridled liberty, and the 
mischiefs of despotic power. 

3. History displays the dealings of God with mankind. It calls 
upon us often to regard with awe his darker judgments ; and again it 
awakens the liveliest emotions of gratitude for his kind and benignant 
dispensations. It cultivates a sense of dependence on him, strength- 
ens our confidence in his benevolence, and impresses us with a convic- 
tion of his justice. 

4. Besides these advantages, the study of History, if properly con- 
ducted, offers others, of inferior importance, indeed, but still they are 
not to be disregarded. It chastens the imagination ; improves the 
taste ; furnishes matter for reflection 5 enlarges the range of thought j 
strengthens and disciplines the mind. 

6. To the above it may be added, that the History of the United 
States should be studied, 1. Because it is the history of our own coun- 
try. 2. Because it is the history of the first civil government ever 
established upon the genuine basis of freedom. 3. Because it furnishes 
lessons upon the science of civil government, social happiness, and 
religious freedom, of greater value than are to be found in the history 
of any other nation on the globe. 4. Because it presents uncommon 
examjiles of the influence of religious principle. 5. Because an ac- 
quaintance with it will enable a person better to fulfil those duties 
which, ill a free government, he may be called to discharge. 



GENERAL DIVISION 



The History of the United States of America may be 
divided into Fifteen Periods, each distinguished by some 
striking characteristic, or remarkable circumstance. 

The First Period will extend from the Discovery of 
America hy Columbus, 1492, to the first permanent Eng- 
lish settlement in America, at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607, 
and is distinguished for Discoveries. 

Obs. Previous to the discovery of America in 1492, the inhab- 
itants of Europe, Asia, and Africa, were of course ignorant of its 
existence. But soon after this event, several expeditions were 
fitted out, for the purpose of making discoveries in what was 
then called the " New World." Accordingly, between 1402 and 
1607, the principal countries lying along the eastern coast of 
North America, were discovered, and more or less explored. As 
our history, during this period, embraces little more than accounts 
of these expeditions, we characterize it as remarkable for discov- 
eries. 

The Second Period will extend from the Settlement of 
Jamestoivn, 1607, to the accession of William and Mary 
to the throne of England, 16S9, and is distinguished for 
Settlements. 

Obs. During this period our history is principally occupied in 
detailing the various settlements, which were either effected or 
attempted, within the boundaries of the United States. It in- 
cludes, indeed, wars with the natives — disputes between proprie- 
tors of lands and' colonies — the formation of governments, &c. 
&c. ; but these are circumstances which pertain to, and form a 
part of, the settlement of new countries. As this period embraces 
the settlement of most of the original states in the Union, viz. 
Massachusetts, including Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New 
Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 
Delaware, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, it is there- 
fore characterized as remarkable for settlements. 
1* 



6 GENERAL DIVISION. 

The Third Period will extend from the accession of 
William and Mary to the throne of England, 1689, to 
the declaration of the war by England against France, 
called *' the French and Indian War," 1756, and is re- 
markable for the three wars of King William, Queen 
Anne, and George II. 

Ohs. So long as the colonies remained attached to the Enghsh 
crown, they became involved, of course, in the wars of the moth- 
er country. Three times, during this period, was war proclaimed 
between England and France; and, as the French had possession 
of Canada, and were leagued with several powerful tribes of In- 
dians, as often did the colonies become the theatre of their hostile 
operations. This period is therefore most remarkable for these 
three wars. 

The Fourth Period will extend from the Declara- 
tion of tear hy England against France, 1756, to the 
commencement of hostilities by Great Britain against 
the American Colonies, in the battle of Lexington, 1775, 
and is distinguished for the French and Indian War. 

The Fifth Period will extend from the Battle of 
Lexington, 1775, to the disbanding of the American 
Army at W^est Point, New York, 1783, and is dis- 
tinguished for the War of the Revolution, 

The Sixth Period will extend from the Disbanding 
of the Army, 1783, to the Inauguration of George 
Washington, as President of the United States, under 
the Federal Constitution, 1789, and is distinguished for 
the Formation and Establishment of the Federal 
Constitution. 

The Seventh Period will extend from the Inaugura- 
tion of President Washington, 1789, to the Inaugura- 
tion of John Adams, as President of the United States, 
1797. This period is distinguished for Washington's 
Administration. 

The Eighth Period will extend from the Inangnra- 
tion of President Adams, 1797, to the Inauguration of 
Thomas Jefferson, as President of the United States, 
1801 . This period is distinguished for Adams's Admin- 
istration. 



GKNERAI, DIVISION. 7 

The Ninth Period will extend from the Tnnugura- 
tion of JPresident Jefferson, ISOl, to the Inauguration of 
James Madison, as President of the United States, 1809. 
This period is distinguished for Jefferson's Adminis- 
tration. 

The Tenth Period will extend from the Liaugura' 
Hon of President Mciclison, 1809, to the Inauguration 
of James Monroe, as President of the United States, 
1817. This period is distinsruished for Madison's Ad- 
ministration, and the late War with Great Britain. 

The Eleventh Period will extend from the Inau- 
guration of President Monroe, 1817, to the Inaugura- 
tion of John Q,uincy Adams, as President of the United 
States, 1825. This period is distinguished for Mon- 
roe's AdMIxNISTRATION. 

The Twelfth Period will extend from the Inaugu- 
ration of President Adams, 1825, to the Inauguration 
of Andrew Jackson, as President of the United States, 
l829. This period is distinguished for Adams's Ad- 
ministration. 

The Thirteenth Period will extend from the Inau- 
guration of President Jackson, 1829, to the Inaugura- 
tion of Martin Van Buren, as President of the United 
States, 1837. This period is distinguished for Jack- 
son's Administration. 

The Fourteenth Period will extend from the Inau- 
guration of President Yan Buren, 1837, to the Inaugu- 
ration of William Henry Harrison, as President of the 
United States, 1841. This period is distinguished for 
Van Btjren's Administration. 

The Fifteenth Period embraces the brief adminis- 
tration of William Henry Harrison. 



UNITED STATES 



PERIOD 1. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR DISCOVERIES. 

Extending from the Discovery of San Salvador, hy 
Columbus, 1492, to the first permanent English Settle- 
ment at Jamestown, Virginia, 1607. 

Sec. 1. The honor of first making known to the in- 
habitants of Europe, the existence of a Western Conti- 
nent, belongs to Spain, as a nation, and to Christopher 
Columbus, a native of Genoa, as an individual. 

After the discovery of America by Columbus, other nations 
laid claim to this honor ; and thus attempted to deprive the 
Genoese navigator, as well as the Spanish nation, of the merit to 
which they were justly entitled. 

The only nations, however, who appear to have had even the 
semblance for such a claim, were the Welsh and Norwegians. 

By the former, it was maintained, that the continent was dis- 
covered by Madoc, son of Ow^en Gwynneth, who, returning to 
his country, again sailed for the land he had discovered, about the 
year 1170, taking with him ten ships, and 300 men. for the purpose 
of founding a colony. Of the fate of this expedition, nothing 
was ever known. As it is well established, however, that the first 
voyage of Madoc was not a long one, it is justly inferred, that the 
land, to which he was leading his coion3^ could not have been 
more westerly than the islands in the Atlantic, situated about 
half way between the Eastern and Western Continents, now 
known by the name of the Azores. 

The pretensions of the Koricegians were founded upon the dis- 
covery of an unknown land, some time in the eleventh century, 
by one Biron or Biorn, an Icelander. During a voyage to Ice- 
land, which, with Greenland, had been discovered and settled at 
an earlier date, Biron was driven south-east by a storm, and fell 
in with a country, to which, from its abounding with vines, he 



DISCOVERIES. 



9 



gave the name of Vineland. In his account of this voyage, the 
description given of the appearance of the sun, in the country-- 
discovered, would seem to indicate, that it lay in latitude about 
44 degrees. 

The fruits found there bore a resemblance to those now found in 
Newfoundland, or the country about the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 
Upon these uncertain data, the Norwegians founded their claims 
to a priority in the discovery of America ; but, on Biron's return, 
his discovery appears to have excited little interest among his 
countrymen, and to have slept in forgetfulness, until after Co- 
lumbus had established the existence of a Western World. 

2. The voyage of Columbus, which led to the forego- 
ing important discovery, and of which Ferdinand and 
Isabella, the sovereigns of the united thrones of Castile 
and Arragon, were patrons, was commenced on the 3d 
of August, 1492 ; at which time, the Genoese navigator 
sailed from Palos, an inconsiderable seaport in Spain, 
with a fleet, consisting of three small vessels, manned 
by ninety seamen. On the morning of the 12th of Oc- 
tober following, he fell in with an island, called by the 
natives Guanahani; but to which he gave the name of 
San Salvador. This island, known on English maps 
by the name of Cat Island, belongs to the great cluster 
of the Lucayos, or Bahama Islands. During the same 
voyage, he discovered several other islands, among 
which were the important ones of Cuba and Hispaniola 

Columbus, whose discovery of the above islands led the way 
to a knowledge of the existence of a Western Continent, was 
born in the city of Genoa, about the year 1435 or 1436. His fa- 
ther was a reputable and meritorious man ; by occupation, a wool- 
comber, long resident in the city of Genoa. Columbus was the 
eldest of four children, having two brothers, Bartholomew and 
Diego, and one sister. 

His early education was limited ; but he diligently improved 
the advantages, which the means of his father enabled him to enjoy. 
After spending a short time at the University of Pavia, he re 
turned to his father, whom he assisted in wool-combing. 

His enterprising disposition, however, prompted him to more 
active employment ; and, at the age of fourteen years, we find 
him entering upon a sea-faring life. 

Having spent some time in the service of a distant relation, who 
followed the seas, he repaired to Lisbon. He was at tliis time 
about 34 years of age ; a tall, well-formed, vigorous man ; enter- 



10 PERIOD I.— 1492 TO 1607. 

prising in his disposition, and uncommonly dignified in his man 
ners. Taking up his residence, for a time, at Lisbon, lie be- 
came acquainted with, and married the daughter of a distin- 
guished navigator, the former governor of Porto Santo, an island 
in the vicinity of Madeira, about 700 tiiiles south-west 'from 
Lisbon. 

The fatlier of his wife being dead, Columbus resided with his 
mother-in-law, who gave him the privilege of examining the pa- 
pers, charts, journals, and memorandums, of her deceased husband. 
These made Columbus acquainted with many important facts and 
suggestions, touching the great enterprise in which the Por- 
kiguese were, at that time, engaged, viz. the discovery of a pas- 
sage to the East Indies, by doubling the southern extremity of 
Africa. 

To a mind inquisitive and enterprising like that of Columbus, 
this subject was invested with the deepest interest and importance 
And the more he read and reflected upon the figure of the earth, 
the stronger was his belief, not merely that a western passage to 
India was practicable ; but that whoever should be sufficiently 
enterprising to navigate the Atlantic, by sailing due we.st, must 
meet with a large body of land, which might be an extension 
of the continent of India, designed to balance the lands lying 
in the eastern hemisphere. 

In this latter opinion, he was strengthened by various discov- 
eries in the Atlantic, such as pieces of carved wood, trunks of 
huge pine-trees, &c., which had been noticed, after long westerly 
winds ; but especially by the well-established fact, that the 
bodies of two men had been cast upon one of the Azore islands, 
whose features differed from those of any known race of people. 

Having matured the plan of a voyage, with the above object 
in view, he first offered to sail under the patronage of the Portu- 
guese ; but, being disappointed in this application, and despairing 
of assistance from Henry VII. of England, to whom he had sent 
nis brother Bartholomew, but who, being captured, did not reach 
England for some time, he repaired to Genoa, and offered to sail 
under the auspices of that republic. Finding, however, his native 
state not in a situation favorable to such an undertaking, he next 
repaired to Spain. 

By what route, or by what means, Columbus reached Spain, is 
uncertain. The first trace we have of him, in this country, is 
as a stranger, on foot, and in humble guise, stopping at the gate 
of the Convent of Santa Maria de Rabida, not far from the little 
seaport of Palos. and asking of the porter a little bread and water 
for a child — his son Diego, whom his deceased wife had left to 
him. While receiving this humble refreshment, the prior of the 
convent, happening to pass by, was struck with the appearance of 
the stranger, and observing, from his air and accent, that he was 
a foreigner, entered into conversation with hira, and soon learned 
the particulars of his story. 



DISCOVERIES. 11 

The prior was a man of extensive information, and entered 
warmly into the views and plans of Columbus. Through his in- 
fluence, the enterprising navigator was, at length, enabled to lay 
his plar^j before Ferdinand and Isabella, then on the united 
thrones of Castile and Arragon. 

For a time, these sovereigns were deaf to his application ; but, 
at length, the queen undertook the enterprise, in behalf of the 
crown of Castile, and, to defray the expense of the outfit and 
voyage, parted with her royal jewels. 

The necessary funds being thus provided, a fleet, consisting of 
three small vessels, was, at no distant time, in a state of readiness for 
the voyage. Two of these were light barks, called caravals, not 
superior to river and coasting craft of more modern days. These 
were open, without deck in the centre, but built high at the prow 
and stern, with forecastles and cabins for the accommodation of 
the crew. The names of these vessels were the Pinta and JSina. 
The ship of Columbus was decked, and of larger dimensions. 
She was called the Santa Maria. On board this fleet were 
ninety mariners, together with various private adventurers — in 
all, one hundred and twenty persons. 

On Friday, the 3d of August, 1492, early in the morning, the 
squadron of Columbus set sail from Palos, steering in a south- 
westerly direction for the Canary Islands, from whence it was- 
his intention to strike due west. 

Passing over many interesting incidents in their outward voyage 
— the storms and tempests which they encountered — the de- 
lusive appearances of land — their hopes and their fears — their 
high-wrought excitement, and then their deep dejection — the 
murmurs, and even mutinous spirit of the crew, and the happy 
expedients of Columbus to raise their courage, and to keep burn- 
ing within them the spirit of the enterprise — we arrive at the 11th 
of October, at which time the indications of land were so strong, 
that, at night, Columbus ordered a double watch, on the forecas- 
tle of each vessel, and promised to the first discoverer of the long- 
looked-for land, a doublet of velvet, in addition to the pension of 
thirty crowns, which had been offered by Ferdinand and Isabella. 

The greatest animation now prevailed throughout the ships ; 
not an eye was closed that night. As evening darkened, Columbus 
took his station on the top of the castle or cabin, on the high poop 
of his vessel. However he might carry a cheerful and confident 
countenance during the day, it was to him a time of the most painful 
anxiety. And now, when wrapped by the shades of night from 
observation, he maintained an intense and unremitting watch, 
ranging his eye along the dusky horizon, in search of the most 
vague indication of land. Suddenly, about ten o'clock, he 
thought he beheld a light glimmering at a distance. Fearing 
that his eager hopes might deceive him, he called to Pedro Gu- 
tierrez, gentleman of the king's bed-chamber, and demanded 
whether he saw a light in that direction ; the latter replied in the 



12 



PERIOD I. — 1492 TO 1G07. 



affirmative. Columbus, yet doubtful whether it might not be 
some dehision of the fancy, called Roderigo Sanchez, of Segovia, 
and made the inquiry. By the time the latter had -ascended the 
round-house, the light had disappeared. They saw it once or 
twice afterwards, in sudden and passing gleams, as if it were a 
torch in the bark of a fisherman, rising and sinking with the 
waves, or in the hand of some person on shore, borne up and down 
as he walked from house to house. So transient and uncertain 
were these gleams, that few attached any importance to them. 
Columbus, however, considered them as certain signs of land, 
and, moreover, that the land was inhabited. 

They continued their course until two in the morning, when 
a gun from the Pinta gave the joyful signal of land. It was first 
descried by a mariner, named Roderigo de Friana ; but the reward 
was afterwards adjudged to the admiral, for having previously 
perceived the light. The land was now clearly seen about two 
leagues distant ; whereupon they took in sail, and laid to, waiting 
impatiently for the dawn. 

The morning at length arrived, October 12th; and before the 
delighted Spaniards lay a level and beautiful island, several 
leagues in extent, of great freshness and verdure, and covered 
wilJi trees like a continual orchard. 



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Columbus, in a rich dress, and with a drawn Bword, soon after 
landed with hia men, with whom having kneeled and kissed the 



DISCOVERIES. 13 

ground with tears of joy, he took formal possession of the island, 
in the name of Queen Isabella, his patron. On landing, the 
Spaniards were surprised to find a race of people quite unlike 
any that they had ever seen before. They were of a dusky cop- 
per color — naked — beardless, with long black hair, floating on 
their shoulders, or bound in tresses round their heads. The na- 
tives w^ere still more surprised at the sight of the Spaniards, 
whom they considered as the children of the sun, their idol. The 
ships they looked upon as animals, with eyes of lightning, and 
voices of thunder. 

Having spent some time in an examination of this island, he 
proceeded to visit several others not far distant ; and at length, 
on the 28th of October, came in sight of the important island of 
Cuba, and not long after fell in with the island of Hispaniola, or 
San Domingo. 

Having spent some time in examining the country, and in an 
amicable traffic with the natives, Columbus set sail on his return. 
He was overtaken by a storm, which had nearly proved fatal. 
During the storm, Columbus hastily enclosed in a cake of wax 
a short account of his voyage and discovery, which he put into a 
tight cask, and threw it into the sea. This he didj hoping that, 
if he perished, it might fall into the hands of some navigator, or 
be cast ashore, and thus the knowledge of his discovery be pre- 
served to the world. But the storm abated, and he arrived safe in 
Spain, March 15th, 1493. 

For this discovery, it being the first, and having laid the 
foundation for all the subsequent discoveries in America, Colum- 
bus was doubtless entitled to the honor of giving a name to the 
New World. But he was robbed of it by the address of Ameri- 
cus Vespucius. This adventurer was a Florentine, who sailed to 
the New World in 1499, with one Alonzo Ojeda, a gallant and 
active officer, who had accompanied Columbus in his first voyage. 
On his return, he published so flattering an account of his voyage, 
that his name was given to the continent, with manifest injustice to 
Columbus. 

After this, Columbus made several other voyages, but did noc 
discover the continent of America until Aug. 1. 1498, during his 
third voyage, on which day, he, for the first time, obtained a view 
of the main continent, near the mouth of the Oronoco. Yet he was 
ignorant at the time, that the land in question was any thing 
more than an island. 

During this voyage, Columbus was destined to experience 
severe afflictions. After his departure from Spain, having been 
appointed governor of the New World, his enemies, by false 
representations, persuaded the king to appoint another in his 
place. At the same time, the king was induced to give orders 
that Columbus should be seized and sent to Spain. This order 

3 



14 PERIOD I.— 1492 TO 1607. 

was executed with rigid severity ; and the heroic Columbus re 
turned to Spain in irons ! 

On liis arrival, he was set at liberty by the king; but he never 
recovered his authority. Soon after his return from a fourth 
voyage, finding Isabella, his patroness, dead, and himself neglected, 
he sunk beneath his misfortunes and infirmities, and expired on 
the 20th of May, 1506. His last words were, *' Into tliy hands, 
O Lord, I commend my spirit." 

The body of Columbus was deposited in the convent of St. 
Francisco, but was afterwards removed to a monastery at Seville, 
Vv'here, for a time, it rested with. the remains of his son Diego. 
The bodies of both, however, were afterwards removed to Hispa- 
niola, and here again disinterred, and conveyed to Havana, in the 
island of Cuba, where, in peace, they now repose. 

We shall conclude this notice of the great pioneer to this west- 
ern world, in the eloquent language of the author to whom we 
have been indebted for the principal incidents in the life of this 
illustrious man.* " He (Columbus) died in ignorance of the real 
grandeur of his discovery. Until his last breath, he entertained the 
idea that he had merely opened a new way to the old resorts of 
opulent commerce, and had discovered some of the wild regions of 
the East. He supposed Hispaniola to be the ancient Ophir, which 
had been visited by the ships of Solomon, and that Cuba and 
Terra Firma were but remote parts of Asia. What visions of 
glory would have broken upon his mind, could he have known 
that he had indeed discovered anew continent, equal to the whole 
of the old world in magnitude, and separated by two vast oceans 
from all the earth hitherto Known by civilized man !" 

3: The discovery of Columbus naturally excited the 
attention of the civilized nations of Europe, and they 
became eager to share with Spain the honors and ad 
vantages of further discoveries in the new world. Ab 
early as May, 1497, John and Sebastian Cabot, father 
and son, sailed, under the patronage of Henry VII., 
king of England, on a voyage of discovery ; and, in 
June following, fell in with the island of Newfoundland, 
which they called Prima Vista. Soon after, they dis- 
covered the smaller island of St. John's and the cojiti- 
ncnt itself. On their return, they pursued a southerly 
course to Virginia, and, according to others, to the cape 
of Florida. They returned without attempting a set- 
tlement, but took possession of the country in behalf 
of the crown of England. 

* Irvitig'B Columbus. 



DISCOVERIES. 15 

John Cabot appears to have been a native of Venice, but to 
have settled in England, with jiis family, some time previous to 
the above voyage. The commission granted to him by Henry, 
which is the oldest American state paper of England, bore date 
March 5th, 1496, although he did not sail until the year follow- 
ing. This squadron was allowed to consist of six ships, of the 
burden of two hundred tons ; but, for reasons not well under- 
stood, they sailed with but two caravals, and three hundred men. 
These were freighted by the merchants of London and Bristol. 
They have the honor of making the first discovery of the conti- 
nent, Columbus not falling in with it until 1498, during his third 
voyage, as has already been related. The extent of this voyage 
of the Cabots appears not to have been settled by historians. 
Some writers suppose that they reached the latitude of C7°, while 
others make the limits of their voyage the 45th and 38th degrees 
of north latitude. 

4. The French attempted no discoveries on the 
American coast, until 1524. This year, John Verra- 
zano, a native of Florence, sailed under the patronage 
of Francis I. of France, and, in the course of his voyage, 
explored the coast from 30° to 50° of north latitude, 
and examined Florida with considerable accuracy. 

Historians differ in their account of this voyage of Verrazfino. 
By some, he is supposed to have first made the American coast 
where the town of Savannah now stands. Others place his ap- 
proach in latitude 37°, whence it is supposed that he proceeded 
south to latitude 34°, in the neighborhood of Wilmington, North 
Carolina, where he landed. Thence sailing southerly, as far as 
the 30th degree, he resumed his northern course, touching, it is 
supposed, at Sandy Hook, and afterwards at some of the islands 
off Rhode Island, whence he proceeded northerly to the 50th 
degree of north latitude, to Newfoundland. The following year, 
this enterprising navigator made another voyage to the American 
coast, during which, by some unknown disaster, he was lost, with 
all his crew. 

5. In 1534, James Cartier, under a commission from 
the king of France, made a voyage to America, in which 
he visited the island of Newfoundland, and discovered 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The following year, diu-ing 
a second voyage, he proceeded up the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence, to the Isle of Orleans, and thence as far as Mon- 
treal. At the former place he spent the winter, and in 
the spring returned to France. 



16 PERIOD I.— 1492 TO 1607. 

On his first voyage, Cartier sailed with two small ships, and 
one hundred and twenty-two men. On the 10th of May, he 
made tlie island of Newfoundland ; but, being prevented by the 
ice from proceeding farther, he sailed southwardly. As soon, 
however, as the season would permit, he returned to the north, 
and visited several harbors in Newfoundland and Labrador. Pro- 
ceeding northerly, with the hope of passing to China, he dis- 
covered and entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but soon after 
was obliged, on account of unpropitious weather, to return to 
France. During his second voyage, he reached, as we have 
stated above, the island on which Montreal stands. Here he 
found a large Indian settlement, by the inhabitants of which he 
was well treated. This Indian settlement was called Hochelaga. 
Cartier gave it the name of Mount Royal, from a mountain in 
the neighborhood. From this circumstance, the island and city 
of Montreal derive their name. During the winter, which he 
passed at the island of Orleans, many of his men died of the 
scurvy, with which they had been afflicted for some time. 

It may here be added, that, in 1540, Cartier again visited Ameri- 
ca, with the intention of forming a settlement. He built a fort at 
some distance from the Isle of Orleans ; but, in the following 
spring, not having received anticipated supplies, he set sail to return 
to France with his colony. At Newfoundland, he met with three 
ships and two hundred persons, on their., way to the new settle- 
ment. Cartier proceeded on his voyage to France, The other 
ships continued their course to the fort which Cartier had left. 
After passing a distressing winter, the whole party, abandoning 
the settlement, in the spring returned to France. 

6. In the spring of 1541, six years from the discovery 
of the river St. Lawrence, another equally important 
river, the Mississippi, was discovered. This honor be- 
longs to Ferdinand de Soto, a Spaniard, who, having 
projected the conquest of Florida from the natives, ar- 
rived from Cuba, 1539, with a considerable force. He 
traversed the country to a great distance, and in the 
spring of 1541, first discovered the Mississippi, five or 
six hundred miles from its mouth. 

The object of Soto, in traversing so wide an extent of country, 
appears to have been to search for gold. The summer and win- 
ter of 1539 he spent in Florida. In 1540, he began his tour 
north-east, and having crossed the Altamaha, Savannah, and 
Ogechee rivers, he turned westerly, and, crossing the Alleghanies, 
proceeded southwardly as far as Mobile and Pensacola. The 
winter of this year he spent with the Chickasaws. The follow, 
ing spring, he made the important discovery above mentioned. 



DISCOVERIES. 17 

The following year, he died on the banks of the Red river, soon 
after which, the remnant of his followers, who, at first, amounted 
to some hundreds, constructed several small boats, and, having 
sailed down the Mississippi, returned to Cuba. 

7. In 15S4, Sir Walter Raleigh^ under a commission 
from Queen Elizabeth of England,, despatched two small 
vessels, commanded by Amidas and Barlow, to the 
American coast. On their arrival, they entered Pamli- 
co sound, now in North Carolina, and thence proceeded 
to Roanoake, an island near the mouth of Albemarle 
sound. Here they spent several weeks in trafficking 
with the natives, but effected no settlement. On their 
return to England, they gave so splendid a description 
of the beauty and fertility of the country, that Elizabeth 
bestowed upon it the name of Virginia, as a memorial 
that the happy discovery had been made under a virgin 
queen. 

Previously to the above voyage, under the auspices of Sir 
Walter Baleigh, two unfortunate attempts had been made by his 
brotlier-in-law, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, to effect a settlement in 
the new world. Both, however, proved ineffectual ; and during 
the last, while Sir Humphrey was returning to England, his ves- 
sel was shipwrecked, and all on board perished. Not discour- 
aged by the unfortunate issue of the enterprises of Gilbert, 
Raleigh fitted out an expedition, as we have above stated, in 
1584. The report brought back by Amidas and Barlow induced 
Sir Walter, in 1585, to attempt a settlement at the island of 
Roanoake. This colony was, in a short time, reduced to great 
distress, and, in 1586, returned with Sir Francis Drake to Eng- 
land. The following year, however, another colony was sent 
out, consisting of one hundred and fifty adventurers. These, 
most unfortunately, were neglected, in respect to supplies; and 
when, at length, a vessel was despatched to inquire into their 
state, not a vestige of them remained. 

8. In 1602, Bartholomew Gosnold, in a voyage from 
Falmouth to the northern part of Virginia, discovered 
the promontory in Massachusetts bay, which, since his 
time, has been known by the name of Cape Cod, from 
the circumstance of his taking a great number of cod- 
fish at that place. 

Gosnold was the first Englishman, who, abandoning the circu- 
itous route by the Canaries and West Indies, came in a direct 
3* 



18 PERIOD I.— 1492 TO 1607. 

course to this part of the American continent. He was but 
seven weeks in making the passage. After tlie discovery of 
Cape Cod, coasting south-west, he discovered two islands, one of 
which he named Martha's Vineyard, and the other Elizabeth 
island. On the western part of this latter island it was conclud- 
ed to settle, and a fort and storehouse were accordingly erected; 
but, before Gosnold left the place, discontents arising among those 
who were to form the colony, it was thought expedient to aban- 
don the settlement and to return to England. The homeward 
voyage occupied but five weeks. 

NOTES. 

9. As we are now about to enter upon a period which 
will exhibit our ancestors as inhabitants of this new 
world, it will be interesting to know what was its as- 
pect when they first landed upon its shores. 

Statk of the Country. — On the arrival of the first settlers, 
North America was almost one unbroken wilderness. From the 
recesses of these forests were heard the panther, the catamount, 
the bear, the wild-cat, the wolf, and other beasts of prey. From 
the thickets rushed the buffalo, the elk, the moose, and the carra- 
bo; and, scattered on the mountains and plains, were seen the 
stag and fallow deer. Numerous flocks of the feathered tribe 
enlivened the air, and multitudes of fish filled the rivers, or glid- 
ed along the shores. The spontaneous productions of the soil^ 
also, were found to be various and abundant. In all parts of the 
land grew grapes, which historians have likened to the alicient 
grapes of Eshcol. In the south were found mulberries, plums, 
melons, cucumbers, tobacco, corn, peas, beans, potatoes, squashes, 
pumpions, «fcc. Acorns, walnuts, chestnuts, wild cherries, cur- 
rants, strawberries, whortleberries, in the season of them, grew 
wild in every quarter of the country. 

10. Aborigines. — The country was inhabited by nu- 
merous tribes or clans of Indians. Of their number, at 
the period the English settled among them, no certain 
estimate has been transmitted to us. They did not 
probably much exceed 150,000 within the compass of 
the thirteen original states.* 

In their physical charactrr, the different Indian tribes, 
within the boundaries of the United States, were nearly 
the same. Their persons were tall, straight, and well 

* This is the estimate of Dr. Trumbull 



DISCOVERIES 19 

proportioned. Their skins were red, or of a copper- 
brown ; their eyes black, their hair long, black, and 
coarse. In constitution, they were firm and vigorous, 
capable of sustaining great fatigue and hardship. 

As to their general character, they were quick of ap- 
prehension, and not wanting in genius. At times, they 
were friendly, and even courteous. In council, they 
were distinguished for gravity and eloquence ; in war, 
for bravery and address. When provoked to anger, 
tliey were sullen and retired ; and when determined 
upon revenge, no danger would deter them ; neither ab- 
sence nor time could cool them. If captured by an 
enemy, they never asked life ; nor would they betray emo- 
tions of fear, even in view of the tomahawk, or of the 
kindling fagot. 

They had no hooks or written literature, except rude hieroglyph- 
ics ; and education among them was confined to the arts of war, 
hunting, fishing, and the few manufactures which existed among 
theai, most of which every male was more or less instructed in. 
Their language was rude, but sonorous, metaphorical, and ener- 
getic. It was well suited to the purposes of public speaking ; 
and, when accompanied by the impassioned gestures, and uttered 
with the deep guttural tones of the savage, it is said to have had 
a singularly wild and impressive eflfect. They had some few war- 
songs, which were little more than an unmeaning chorus; but, it 
is believed, they had no other compositions which were preserved. 

Their arts and manvfactures were confined to the construction 
of wigwams, bows and arrows, wampum, ornaments, stone hatch- 
ets, mortars for pounding corn ; to the dressing of skins, weaving 
of coarse mats from the bark of trees, or a coarse sort of hemp, 
&c. 

Their agriculture was small in extent, and the articles the}' 
cultivated were few in number. Corn, beans, peas, potatoes, 
melons, and a few others of a similar kind, were all. 

Their skill in medicine was confined to a few simple prescrip- 
tions and operations. Both the cold and warm batli were often 
applied, and a considerable number of plants were used with suc- 
cess. For some diseases they knew no remedy, in which case 
they resorted to their jjou)oio,ot priest, who .undertook the re- 
moval of the disease by means of sorcery. 

It may be remarked, however, that the diseases to which the 
Indians were liable, were few, compared with those which pre 
vail in civilized society. 



20 



PERIOD I.— 1492 TO 1607. 




Indian Women engaged in Agriculture. 




Indian Amusements. 



DISCOVERIES. 



21 



The emploxjments of the men were principally hunting, fishing, 
and war. Tlie icomcn dressed the food, took charge of the do- 
mestic concerns, tilled their narrow and scanty fields, and per- 
formed almost all the drudgery connected with their household 
affairs. 

The amusements of the men were principally leaping, shooting 
at marks, dancing, gaming, and hunting, in all of which they 
made the most violent exertions. Their dances were usually per- 
formed round a large fire. In their war-dances, they sung or re- 
cited the feats which they or their ancestors had achieved; 
represented the manner in which they were performed, and 
wrought themselves up to an inexpressible degree of martial en- 
thusias.m. The females occasionally joined in some of these 
sports, but had none peculiar to themselves. 

Their dress was various. In summer, they wore little besides a 
covering about the waist ; but in winter, they clothed themselves 
in the skins of wild beasts. They were exceedingly fond of or- 
naments. On days of show and festivity, their sachems v/ore 
mantles of deer-skin, embroidered with white beads, or copper 5 or 
they were painted with various devices. Hideousness was the 
object aimed at in painting themselves. A chain of fish-bones 
about the neck, or the skin of a wild-cat, was the sign of royalty. 

For habitations, the Indians ha<i toeekwams, or wigwams, as 




pronounced by the English. These originally consisted of a 
strong polcj erected in the centre, around which, at the distance 



22 TEitioD r.— 1492 to 1607. 

of ten or twelve feet, other poles were driven obliquely into the 
ground, and fastened to the centre pole at the top. Their cover 
ings were of mats, or barks of trees, well adjusted so as to render 
them dry and comfortable. 

Their dovicstjc vttnsils extended not beyond a hatchet of stone ; 
a few shells and sharp stones, which they used for knives : stone 
mortars for pounding corn, and some mats and skins upon which 
they slept. They sat, and ate, and lodged, on the ground. With 
shells and stones they scalped their enemies, dressed their game, 
cut their hair, &c. They made nets of thread,^ twisted from the 
bark of Indian hemp, or of the sinews of the moose and deer. 
For fish-hooks, they used bones which were bent. 

Their /oo<i was of the coarsest and simplest kind — the flesh, 
and even the entrails, of all kinds of wild beasts and birds ; 
and, in their proper season, green corn, beans, peas, &c. <fcc., 
which they cultivated, and oilier fruits, which the country spon- 
taneously produced. Flesh and fish they roasted on a stick, or 
broiled on the fire. In some instances, they boiled their meat and 
corn by putting hot stones in water. Corn they parched, es- 
pecially in the winter ; and upon this they lived in the absence 
of other food. 

The money of the Indians, called icampnm, consisted of small 
beads wrought from shells, and strung on belts, and in chains. 
The wampum of the Nevv' England Indians was bjack, blue, and 
white. That of the Six Nations was of a pvirple color. Six of 
the white beads, and three of black, or blue, became of the value 
of a penny. A belt of wampum was given as a token of friend- 
ship, or as a seal or confirmation of a treaty. 

There was little among them that could be called society. Except 
when roused by some strong excitement, the men were generally 
indolent, taciturn, and unsocial. The women were too degraded 
and oppressed to think of much besides their toils. Renioving. 
too, as the seasons changed, or as the game grew scarce, or as 
danger from a stronger tribe threatened, tliere was little opportu- 
nity for forming those local attachments, and those social ties, 
which spring from a long residence in a particular spot*. Their lan- 
guage also, though energetic, was too barren to serve the purposes 
of familiar conversation. In order to be understood and felt, it 
required the aid of strong and animated gesticulation, which could 
take place only when great occasions excited them. It seems, 
therefore, that they drew no considerable part of their enjoyments 
from intercourse with one another. Female beauty had little 
power over the men ; and dll otl>er pleasures gave waj' to the 
strong impulses of public festivity, or burning captives, or seeking 
murderous revenge, or the chase, or war, or glory. 

War was the favorite employment of the savages of North 
America. It roused them from the lethargy into which they fell 
when they ceased from the chase, and furnished them an oppor- 



DISCOVERIES. 23 

tunity to distinguish themselves — to achieve deeds of glory, and 
taste the sweets of reveng-e. Their weapons'were bows and ar- 
rows headed with flint or other hard stones, which tliey dis- 
charged with great precision and force. The southern Indians 
used targets made of bark ; the Mohawks clothed themselves 
with skins, as a defence against the arrows of their enemies. 
When they fought in the open field, they rushed to the attack 
with incredible fury ; and, at the same time, uttered their appal- 
ling war-whoop. Those whom they had taken captive they otlen 
tortured with every variety of cruelty, and to their dying ago- 
nies added every species of insult. If peace was concluded on, 
tlie chiefs of the hostile tribes ratified the treaty by smoking, in 
succession, the same pipe, called the calmnet, or pipe of peace. 

The government of the Indians, in general, was an absolute mon- 
archy, though it differed in diflerent tribes. Tlie will of the sachem 
was law. In matters of moment, he consulted his counsellors ; but 
his decisions were final. War and peace, among some tribes, seem 
to have been determined on in a council formed of old men, distin- 
guished by their exploits. When in council, they spoke at pleas- 
vire, and always listened to the speaker with profound and re- 
spectful silence. '' When propositions for war or peace were made, 
or treaties proposed to them by the colonial governors, they met 
the ambassadors in council, and, at the end of each paragraph or 
proposition, the principal sachem delivered a short stick to one 
of his council, intimating that it was his peculiar duty to remem- 
ber that paragraph. This was repeated, till every proposal was 
finished; they then retired to deliberate among themselves. Af- 
ter their deliberations were ended, the sachem, or some counsel- 
lors to whom he had delegated this office, replied to every para- 
graph in its turn, with an exactness scarcely exceeded in the 
written correspondence of civilized powers. Each man actually 
remembered what was committed to him, and, with his assistance, 
the person who replied remembered the whole." 

The religlo2is notions of the natives consisted of traditions, 
mingled with many superstitions. Like the ancient Greeks, Ro- 
mans, Persians, Hindoos, &c. they believed in the existence of 
two gods, the one good, who was the superior, and whom they 
styled the Great or Good Spirit ; the other evil. They worship- 
ped both ; and of both formed images of stone, to which they 
paid religious homage. Besides these, they worshipped various 
other deities — fire , water, thunder — any thing which they conceived 
to be superior to themselves, and capable of doing them injury. 
The manner of worship was to sing and dance round large fires 
Besides dancing, they offered prayers, and sometimes sweet- 
scented powder. In Virginia, the Indians offered blood, deer's 
suet, and tobacco. Of the creation and the deluge, they had dis- 
tinct traditions. 

Marriage among them was generally a temporary contract 



24 • PERIOD 1. — 1492 TO 1G07. 

The men chose their wives agreeably to fancy, and put tlieni away ' 
at pleasure. Marriage was celebrated, hov^ever, with some cere- 
mony, and, in many instances, was observed with fidelity; not 
unfrequently it was as lasting as life. Polygamy was common 
among them. 

Their treatment vf females was cruel and oppressive. They 
were considered by the men as slaves, and treated as such. 
Those forms of decorum between the sexes-, wliich lay tlw) foun- 
dation for the respectful and gallant courtesy, with which women 
are treated in civilized society, were unknown among them. Of 
course, females were not only required to perform severe labor, but 
often felt the full weight of the passions and caprices of the men. 

The rites of burial, among the Indians, varied but little through 
out the continent. They generally dug holes in the ground, with 
sharpened stakes. In the bottom of the grave were laid sticks, 
upon which the corpse, wrapped in skins and mats, was deposited. 
The arms, utensils, paints, and ornaments of the deceased, were 
buried with him, and a mound of earth raised over his grave. 
Among some tribes in New England, and among the Five Nations, 
the dead were buried in a sitting posture, with their faces towards 
-the east. During the burial, they uttered the most lamentable 
cries, and continued their mourning for several days. 

The origin of the Indians inhabiting the country, on the arrival 
of the English colonists, is involved in much obscurity ; and sev- 
eral different answers have been given by learned men to the in- 
quiry, Whence did they come to America .'* The opinion best sup- 
ported is, that they originated in Asia, and that at some former 
period, not now to be ascertained, they emigrated from that coun- 
try to America, over which, in succeeding years, their descend- 
ants spread. This opinion is rendered the more probable by the 
fact, that the figure, complexion, dress, manners, customs, &c. 
&c., of the nations of both continents, are strikingly similar. 
That they viight have emigrated from the eastern continent i& 
evident, since, in latitude ()G°, the two continents are not more 
tlian forty miles distant from each other ; and between them are- 
two islands less than twenty miles distant from either shore. 

REFLECTIONS. 

11. We shall find it pleasant and profitable occasionally to pauss- 
in our history, and consider what instruction may be drawn from 
the portion of it that has been perused. 

In the story of Columbus, we are introduced to a man of ge- 
nius, energy, and enterprise. We see him forming a new. and, in 
that age, a mighty project ; and, having matured his plan, W8 
see him set himself vigorously about its execution. For a time, 
he is either treated as a visionary or baffled by opposition. But^ 
neither discouraged nor dejected, be steadily pursues his- purpose^ 



DISCOVERIES. 25 

surmounts every obstacle, and at length spreads his sails upon 
the unknown waters of the Atlantic. A kind Providence au- 
spiciously guides his way, and crowns his enterprise with the un- 
expected discovery of a nev/ world. 

While we admire the lofty qualities of Columbus, and look 
with w^onder at the consequences which have resulted from his 
discovery, let us emulate his decision, energy, and perseverance. 
Many are the occasions, in the present world, on which it will be 
important to summon these to our aid ; and, by their means, 
many useful objects may be accomplished, which, without them, 
would be unattained. 

But, while we thus press forward in the career of usefulness — 
while we aim to accomplish for our fellow men all the amount of 
good in our power, let us moderate our expectations of reward 
here, by the consideration that Columbus died the victim of in- 
gratitude and disappointment. 

Another consideration, of still deeper interest, is suggested by 
the story of Columbus. We , who live to mark the wonderful events 
which have flowed from his discovery, within the short space of 
three centuries, cannot but advert with awe to Him who attaches 
to the actions of a single individual a train of consequences so 
stupendous and unexpected. How lightly soever, then, we may 
think of our conduct, let us remember, that the invisible hand 
of Providence may be connecting with our smallest actions the 
most momentous results to ourselves and others. 

With respect to Americus Vespucius, it may be observed, that, 
although he deprived Columbus of the merited honor of giving 
his name to the new world, and gained this distinction for him- 
self, still his name will ever remain stigmatized, as having ap- 
propriated that to himself which fairly belonged to another. 
3 



UNITED STATES. 

PERIOD II. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR SETTLEMENTS. 

Extending from the first permanent English Settlement 
at Jamestoton, Virginia, 1607, to the Accession of 
William and Mary to the Throne of England y 1689. 

Sec. 1. Prior to the year 1607, a period of 115 years 
from the discovery of San Salvador by Columbus, seve- 
ral attempts, some of which we have noticed, were made 
to effect settlements in various parts of North America ; 
but none had proved successful. 

A sufficient reason may be assigned for the failure of the seve- 
ral attempts to effect permanent settlements iu North America, 
viz. that they were undertaken upon individual responsibility, with 
bad calculations, and intrusted, in most instances, to men of mer- 
cenary views. And, as to the sovereigns of Europe, they were 
too much occupied with affairs at home, to engage in speculations 
abroad. Besides, no prince or statesman in Europe appears to 
have foreseen the advantages of planting colonies in this northern 
continent. Had it contained mines of gold and silver, like South 
America, they would have contended with one another for the 
prize. But it seems not to have been conceived how numerous, 
hardy colonies, could give such strength, opulence and grandeur 
to empires, as could never be derived from the gold and rich pro- 
ductions of the southern regions. One advantage, however, re- 
sulted to the nations of Europe, and which, for many years, they 
enjoyed in common, viz. the fishery on the banks of Newfound- 
land. For a time, it was prosecuted to an inconsiderable extent ; 
but, at length, it ripened into a system, and became a source of 
national emolument. 



SETTLEMENTS. 



27 



2. The year 1607 marks the era when the first per- 
manent settlement was effected by Europeans in North 
America. In the month of May of this year, a colony 
from England, consisting of one hundred and five per- 
sons, arrived in Virginia ; and, on a beautiful peninsula 
in James river, began a settlement, which they called 
Jamestoicn. 




8. This name was given to the above settlement in 
honor of James I. of England, who, the year previously, 
had granted to two companies, called the London and 
Plymouth companies, the lands in North America em- 
braced between the 34th and 45th degrees of north lati- 
tude — the southern part, called South Virginia, to the 
London, and the northern, called North Virginia, to the 
Plymouth company. 

The London company consisted of Sir Thomas Gates, Sir 
George Somers, Richaid Hackluyt, Edward Maria Wingfield, 
&c. These were authorized to make a settlement at any place 
between the 34th and 41st detrrees of latitude ; and in them was 



28 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 16S9. 

vested the right of property in the land extending fifty miles each 
way from their place of habitation, reaching one hundred miles 
into the country. The Plymouth company consisted of Thomas 
Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker, George Popham, and 
others, principally inhabitants of Bristol, Plymouth, and the east- 
ern parts of England. To this company was granted the lands 
between the 38th and 45th degrees of latitude. They were vest- 
ed with the right of property in lands to the same extent as in the 
southern colony : neither c6mpany, however, were to form set- 
tlements within one hundred miles of the other. 

4. Under the auspices of the London company, tlie 
first settlement in Virginia was commenced. The expe- 
dition was commanded by Capt. Christopher Newport; 
but the government of the colony was framed in Eng- 
land, before it sailed. It was to consist of a council of 
seven persons, with a president, to be elected by the 
council from their number. Who composed it was un- 
known at the time the expedition sailed, their names 
being carefully concealed in a box, which was to be 
opened after their arrival. 

The original 'intention of the colony was to form a settlement 
at Roanoake ; but, being driven by a violent storm north of that 
place, they discovered the entrance of Chesapeake bay, the 
capes of which they named Charles and Henry. Entering this, 
they at length reached a convenient spot upon which to com- 
mence a settlement. 

The code of laws, hitherto cautiously concealed, was now pro- 
mulgated ; and, at the same time, the council appointed in Eng- 
land was made known. It consisted of Bartholomew Gosnold, 
John Smith, Edward Wingfield, Christopher Newport, John 
Ratcliffe, John Martin, and George Kendall. Mr. Wingfield was 
chosen president. 

Among the most enterprising and useful members of this col- 
ony, and one of its magistrates, was Capt. John Smith. In his 
youth, he had been apprenticed to a merchant; but, being of a 
roving turn, he quitted his master; and, although at this time 
but thirteen years of age, he travelled in France, whence he pro- 
ceeded to the Netherlands, Egypt, and Germany, and, at length, 
entered the service of the emperor of Austria, who was engaged 
in a war with the Turks. 

The regiment in Avhich he served was engaged in several 
hazardous enterprises, in which Smith exhibited a bravery ad- 
mired by all the army ; and when Meldrick left the imperial 



SETTLEMENTS. 29 

At the siege of Regal, he was destined to new adventures. 
The Ottomans, deriding the slow adva.nce of the Transylvania 
army, the Lord Turbisha despatched a messenger with a chal- 
lenge, that, for the diversion of the ladies of the place, he would 
fight any captaili of the Christian troops. 

The honor of accepting this challenge Avas determined by lot, 
and fell on Smith. At tlie time appointed, the two champions 
appeared in the field on horseback, and, in the presence of the 
armies, and of the ladies of the insulting Ottoman, rushed im- 
petuously to the attack. A short, but desperate conflict ensued, 
at the end of which Smith was seen bearing the head of the 
lifeless Turbisha in triumph to his general: 

The fall of the chief filled his friend Crualgo with indigna- 
tion, and roused him to avenge his death. Smith accordingly 
soon after received a challenge from him, which he did not hes- 
itate to accept; and the two exasperated combatants, upon their 
chargers, fell with desperate fury upon each other. Victory again 
followed the falchion of Smith, who sent the Turk headlong to 
the ground. 

It was now the turn of Smith to make the advance. He de- 
spatched a message, therefore, to the Turkish ladies, that if theij 
;jvere desirous of more diversion of a similar kind, they should 
be welcome to his head, in case their third champion could take it. 

Bonamalgro tendered his services, and haughtily accepted the 
Christian's challenge. When the day arrived, the spectators as- 
sembled, and the combatants entered the field. It was an hour 
of deep anxiety to all : as the horsemen approached, a deathlike 
silence pervaded the multitude. A blow from the sabre of the 
Turk brought Smith to the ground ; and, for a moment, it seemed 
as if the deed of death was done. Smith, however, v/as only 
stunned. He rose like a lion when he shakes the dew from his 
mane for the fight, and, vaulting into his saddle, made his fal- 
chion ''shed last atonement for its first delay." It is hardly 
necessary to add, that the head of Bonamalgro was added to the 
number. 

In a general battle, in which he was subsequently engaged, 
he was wounded and taken prisoner. On his recovery, he was 
sold as a slave, and was taken to Constantinople. He was re- 
quired to wait upon the lady of his master, who, captivated by 
his fine appearance, sent him, in the absence of her husband, to 
the care of her brother, who resided near the sea of Asoph. 

But he, being of a cruel disposition, treated Smith with so 
much inhumanity, that, one day, in a fit of desperation, he killed 
his new master, and fled into Russia. From this country, lie trav 
elled through Germany, France, and Spain; and, at length, re 
turned once more to England. 

At this time, the settlement of America was occupying the 
attention of many distinguished men in England. The life of 

3* 



30 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

Smith, united to his fondness for enterprises of danger and diffi- 
culty, had prepared him to embark with zeal in a project so 
novel and sublime as that of exploring the wilds of a newly-dis 
covered continent. 

He was soon attached to the expedition about to sail under 
Newport, and was appointed one of the magistrates of the colo- 
ny sent over at that time. Before the arrival of the colony, his 
colleagues in office, becoming jealous of his influence, arrested 
him on the absurd charge, that he designed to murder the coun- 
cil, usurp the government, and make himself king of Virginia, 
He was, therefore, rigorously confined during the remainder of 
the voyage. 

On their arrival in the country, he was liberated, but could 
not obtain a trial, although, in the tone of conscious integrity, he 
repeatedly demanded it. The infant colony was soon involved 
in perplexity and danger. Notwithstanding Smith had been 
calumniated, and his honor deeply wounded, his w^as not the 
spirit to remain idle, when his services were needed. Nobly 
disdaining revenge, he offered his assistance, and, by his talents, 
experience, and indefatigable zeal, furnished important aid to 
the infant colony. 

Continuing to assert his innocence, and to demand a trial, the 
time at length arrived, when his enemies could postpone it no 
longer. After a fair hearing of the case, he was honorably ac- 
quitted of the charges alleged against him, and soon after took his 
seat in the council. 

The affairs of the colony becoming more settled, the active 
spirit of Smith prompted him to explore the neighboring country. 
In an attempt to ascertain the source of Chickahoming river, he 
ascended, in a barge, as far as the stream was uninterrupted. 
Designing to proceed still farther, he left the barge in the keeping 
of the crew, with strict injunctions on no account to leave her, 
and, with'Ywo Englishmen and two Indians, left the party. But 
no sooner was he out of view, than the crew, impatient of re- 
straint, repaired on board the barge, and, proceeding some dis- 
tance down the stream, landed at a place where a body of In- 
dians lay in ambush, by whom they were seized. 

By means of the crew, the route of Smith was ascertained, 
and a party of Indians were immediately despatched to take him. 
On coming up with him, they fired, killed the Englishmen, and 
wounded himself. With great presence of mind, he now tied his 
Indian guide to his left arm, as a shield from the enemies' ar- 
rows, while, with his musket, he despatched three of the most 
forward of the assailants. 

In this manner, he continued to retreat towards his canoe, 
while the Indians, struck with admiration of his bravery, fol- 
lowed with respectful caution. Unfortunately, coming to a 
sunken spot filled with mire, while engrossed with eyeing his 



SETTLEMENTS. 



31 



pursuers, he sunk so deep as to be unable to extricate himself, 
and was forced to surrender. 

Fruitful in expedients, to avert immediate death, he presented 
an ivory compass to the chief, whose attention was arrested by 
the vibrations of the needle. Taking advantage of the impres- 
sion which he had thus made, partly by signs and partly by lan- 
guage, he excited their wonder still more, by telling them of its 
singular powers. 

Their wonder, however, seemed soon to abate, and their at- 
tention returned to their prisoner. He was now bound, and tied 
to a tree, and the savages were preparing to direct their arrows 
at his breast. At this instant, the chief holding up the compass, 
they laid down their arms, and led him in triumph to Powhatan, 
their king, 

Powhatan and his council doomed him to death, as a man 
whose courage and genius were peculiarly dangerous to the 




Indians. Preparations were accordingly made ; and when the 
time arrived, Smith was led out to executi,on. His head was laid 
upon a stone, and a club presented to Powhatan, who himself 
claimed the honor of becoming the executioner. Tiie savages 
in silence were circling round, and the giant arm of Powhatan 
had already raised the club to strike the fatal blow, when, to his 
astonishment, the young and beautiful Pocahontas, his daughter, 
with a shriek of terror, rushed from the tlirong, and tlircw her- 



32 PERIOD II. — 1G07 TO 1G89. 

self upon the body of Smith. At the same time, slie cast an 
imploring look towards her furious, but astonished father, and, in 
all the eloquence of mute, but impassioned sorrow, besought 
his life. 

The remainder of the scene was honorable to Powhatan. 
The club of the chief was still uplifted ; but a father's pity had 
touched his heart, and the eye that had at first kindled with wrath 
was novr fast losing its fierceness. He looked round as if tocol-| 
lect his fortitude, or perhaps to find an excuse for liis weakness, in 
the pity of the attendants. A similar sympathy had melted the 
savage throng, and seemed to join in the petition which the 
weeping Pocahontas felt, but durst not utter, " My father, let 
the prisoner live." Powhatan'raised his daughter, and the cap- 
tive, scarcely yet assured of safety, from the earth. 

Shortly after, Powhatan dismissed Capt. Smith, with assur- 
ances of friendship ; and the next morning, accompanied with 
a guard of twelve men, he arrived safely at Jamestown, after a 
captivity of seven weeks.* 

In 1()09, circumstances having arisen to interrupt the friendly 
dispositions of Powhatan towards the colony, he plotted their 
entire destruction. His design was to attack them unapprized, 
and to cut them off at a blow. 

In a dark and stormy night, the heroic Pocahontas hastened alone 
to Jamestown, and disclosed the inhuman 'plot of her father. 
The colony were thus put on their guard, and their ruin averted. 

It may be interesting to add, concerning Pocahontas, that some 
time after this, she was married to an English gentleman of th» 
name of Rolfe, with whom she visited England. She embraced 
the Christian religion, and was baptized by the name of Pcebec- 
ca. She left one son, who had several daughters, the descend- 
ants of whom inherited her lands in Virginia, and are among the 
most respectable families in that state. 

5. The colony, thus commenced, soon experienced a 
variety of calamities, incidental, perhaps, to infant settle- 
ments, but not the less painful and discouraging. Ineffi- 
ciency and a want of harmony marked the proceedings 
of the council. Provisions were scarce, and of a poor 
quality. The neighboring tribes of Indians became 
jealous and hostile ; and, more than all, sickness spread 
among them, and carried a large proportion of their 
number to an early grave. 

By the middle of July, they were so distressed with the bad- 
ness and scarcity of provisions, with sickness, labor, and contin- 

* Burk's Virginia. 



SETTLEMENTS. 33 

ual guarding against the enemy, that scarcely ten of the whole 
company coulcf walk, or even stand alone. By the end of the 
month, fifty of their number were no more. Among the dead, 
was that enterprising gentleman, Captain Gosnold, the projector 
of the whole scheme of the plantation. 

To increase, their misfortunes, the president embezzled the 
public stores, and attempted to run away with the company's 
bark, and to retm-n to England. It was thereforer found neces- 
sary, for the common safety, to displace him. Mr. Ratcliffe was 
elected to the presidency. But it very soon appeared that his 
abilities v.ere by no means equal to the exigencies of the compa- 
ny; and the v/hole weight of government fell, therefore, on Capt. 
John Smith." 

The condition of the colony was, at length, somewhat im- 
proved, and their courage renewed, by the arrival of Capt. New- 
port, (who had been despatched to England,) with a supply of 
provisions, and an additional number of men. This number was 
not. long after augmented, and a further supply of necessaries re- 
ceived, by the Arrival of Capt. Nelson, who had sailed in company 
v.'ith Newport, but Vv^ho had been separated from him during a 
storm, and for some time was supposed to be lost. With these 
accessions, the colonists now amounted to two hundred men. This 
number was still further increased, before the endof lG08,by the 
arrival of seventy colonists, among whom were many persons of 
distinction. 

6. Eady in the year 1609, the London company, not 
having realized tlieir anticipated profit from their new 
establishment in America, obtained from the king a new 
charter, with more ample privileges. Under this charter, 
Thomas West, otherwise called Lord De la War, was 
appointed governor for life. 

The company, under their new act of incorporation, was styled, 
" The treasurer and companv of adventurers and planters for the 
first colony in Virginia." They were nov/ granted in absolute 
property, what had formerly been conveyed only in trust— a 
territory extending from Point Comfort two hundred miles north 
and south, along the coast, and throughout the land from sea 
to sea. 

7. Lord De la War, being appointed governor of the 
colony, but not being able to leave England, immediately 
despatched to America nine ships and five hundred men, 
under command of Sir Thomas Gates, his lieutenant, and 

* Trumbull 



34 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

Sir George Summers, his admiral. Eight of these ships 
arrived in safety at Jamestown, in the month of August; 
but that on board of which was Sir Thomas and other 
officers, being wrecked on the Bermudas, did not arrive 
till May of the following year. 

The ship, thus wrecked, contained one hundred and fifty per- 
sons, the whole of whom were, for a time, in extreme danger of 
being lost. For three days, they were obliged to labor incessant- 
ly at" the pump. The leak, however, still increasing, it was 
attempted to run her on shore ; but she stranded, at the distance 
of three quarters of a mile from land. By the help of the boats, 
however, the crew and passengers were all saved ; and, having 
built two small vessels, again set sail for Virginia, where they 
arrived at the time stated above. 

8. At the time Sir Thomas and the other officers ar- 
rived, the colony had become reduced to circumstances 
of great depression. Capt. Smith, in consequence of a 
severe accidental wound, had some time before returned 
to England. His departure was followed by disastrous 
consequences. Subordination and industry ceased ; the 
Indians became hostile, and refused the usual supplies 
of provisions. Famine ensued ; and to such extremities 
had they sunk, that the skins of the horses were de- 
voured, as were also the bodies of Indians whom they 
had killed, and even the remains of deceased friends. 
Of five hundred persons, sixty only remained. At this 
juncture, the shipwrecked from Bermuda arrived. An 
immediate return to England was resolved upon ; and, 
with that intent, they embarked. But, just as they were 
leaving the mouth of the river. Lord De la War fortu- 
.nately appeared, with supplies of men and provisions, 
and they were persuaded to return. By means of his 
judicious management, the condition of the colony soon 
wore a better aspect, and for several years continued to 
prosper. 

It was unfortunate, however, for the colony, that ill health 
obliged Lord De la War, in March, 1()11, to leave the adminis- 
tration. He was succeeded by Sir Thomas Dale, who arrived in 
May. Hitherto, no right of property in land had been establish- 
ed, "but the produce oflabor was deposited in public stores, and 



SETTLEMENTS. 35 

shared in common. To remedy the indolence and indifference 
growing out of such a system, Sir Thomas assigned to each in- 
habitant a lot of three acres as his own, and a certain portion 
of time to cultivate it. The advantages of this measure were 
soon so apparent, that another assignment of fifty acres was 
made, and not long after the plan of wo:king in a common field 
was abandoned 

9. In 1613, several Dutch merchants erected a fort 
on Hudson's river, where Albany now stands, and a few 
trading houses on the island of New York, at that time 
called by the Indians Manhattan. 

Hudson's river derives its name from Henry Hudson, an Eng- 
lishman by birth, but who, at the time of this discovery, was in 
the service of the Dutch East India Company. Hudson left the 
Texel on the 20th of March, 1609, v/ith the design of penetrat- 
ing to the East Indies by sailing a north-westward course. 
Failing in this, he proceeded along the shores of Newfoundland, 
and thence southward as far as Chesapeake and Delaware bays. 
Thence returning northward, he discovered and sailed up the 
river which now bears his name. 

By virtue of this discovery, the Dutch laid claim to the coun- 
try, and the following year several Dutch merchants sent ships- 
to the river to open a trade with the natives. The claim thus 
set up by the Dutch, was denied by the court of England, not 
on the ground that Hudson was not the first to discover and en- 
teF4h6 river, but that, being an English subject, the right to the 
country belonged to them. 

The Dutch, having planted themselves at Manhattan, were 
visited the same year by Capt. Argal, of Virginia, with a naval 
force, who demanded the surrender of the place to the English 
crown, as properly constituting a part of Virginia. The Dutch 
governor, finding himself incapable of resistance, submitted him- 
self and his colony to the king of England, and under him to 
the governor of Virginia. Notwithstanding this surrender, the 
country still continued to be called, as before, New Netherlands, 
and the settlement, the place where New York now stands, Nev/ 
Amsterdam. These names they retained till the final conquest 
of the country by the English, in 1GG4. (See Sec. 37.) 

10. In 1614, Capt. John Smith sailed from England, 
with two ships, to North Virginia. During this voyage, 
he ranged the coast from Penobscot to Cape Cod, and 
gave names to several points of land, which now, for the 
first time, were discovered. On his return home, hav- 
ing formed a map of the country, he presented it to 



36 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

Prince Charles, who, in the warmth of admiration, de- 
clared that the country should be called New Exgland. 
Cape Ann was so called by the prince in filial respect 
to his mother. 

11. The year 1619 forms a memorable epoch in 
the history of Virginia, a provincial legislature being 
at this time introduced, in which the colonists were 
represented by delegates chosen by themselves. 

This colonial assembly, the first legislature to which the peo- 
ple of America sent representatives, was convoked by Sir George 
Yeardly, the governor-general of the colony, and met at James- 
town, on the IDth of June. Before this, the colonists had been 
ruled ratlier as soldiers in garrison, by martial law ; but now they 
were invested with the privileges of freemen. They were di- 
vided into eleven corporations, each of which was represented 
in the assembly. 

The following year, the colony received a large accession 
to their number. Eleven ships arrived, with twelve hundred 
and sixty persons, for settlement. Nearly one thousand colonists 
were resident here before. In order to attach them still more to 
the country, Sir Edwin Sandys, the treasurer of the company 
recommended to send over a number of young women of reputa 
ble character, to become wives to the planters. ^Accordingly 
ninety at this time came over, and sixty the following year 
These were sold to the planters at the price, at first, of one hun 
dred, and, afterwards, one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco 
Tobacco, at this time, was worth three shillings per pound 
Debts incurred for the purchase of wives were recoverable before 
any others.- 

Accessions to the colony, of a different character, were also 
made about this time. By order of King James, one hundred 
persons of profligate character, who had rendered tliemselves 
obnoxious to government by their crimes, were sent to the colony 
by way of punishment. This, perhaps designed for its benefit, 
as the exiles were chiefly employed as laborers, was ultimately 
prejudicial to its prosperity. 

During the year 11)20, slave-holding was introduced into the 
colony. A Dutch ship from Africa, touching at Jamestown, 
landed twenty negroes for sale. These were purchased by the 
planters ; and with these was introduced an evil into the coun- 
try, the sad effects of which are felt to the present day. 

12. The year 1620 marks the era of the first settling 
of New England. On the 22d of December of this 
year, a colony originally from England, known by the 



i 



SETTLEMENTS. 37 

name of Puritans, landed at Plymouth, Massachu- 
setts, and began the settlement of that place. Although 
natives of England, they were driven thence by the arm 
of persecution, for urging a more thorough reformation 
in the church of England. 

They fled from England, first to Amsterdam, in Hol- 
land, in 1607, with their pastor, the Rev. Mr. Robin- 
son. .From Amsterdam, they soon after removed to 
Ley den, where they continued until they embarked for 
America. 

Among the motives which influenced them to remove 
to America, the prospect of enjoying '' a purer worship 
and greater liberty of conscience," was tlie principal. 
To secure these objects, they were willing to become 
exiles from a civilized country, and encounter the dan- 
gers and privations which might meet them in a wil- 
derness. 

The people who first settled New England were principally 
from the counties of Nottinghamshire, Lancashire, and York- 
shire. In these counties, there prevailed, about the year 1602, 
an extensive revival of religion. The new converts, wishing to 
worship God in a manner more simple than was observed in the 
established church, but not being allowed to do it while they 
continued members of it, agreed upon a separation from it; and, 
for the sake of peace, and more liberty of conscience, resolved 
upon a removal to the States of Holland, which; at that time, 
granted a free toleration to different denominations of Prot- 
estants. 

The leader of these emigrants, in the year 1607, was an able 
and pious man, Mr. John Robinson, who, with his congregation, 
having disposed of their property, prepared for their removal, 
with a design to fix themselves at Amsterdam ; but now they 
found the ports and harbors carefully watched ; and, the design 
of this congregation being suspected, strict orders were given 
that they should not be suffered to depart. 

They were compelled to use the most secret methods, to give 
extravagant fees to seamen, by whom, notwithstanding, they 
were often betrayed. Twice they attempted to embark, but were 
discovered and prevented. At another time, having got onboard 
a ship, with their effects, the ship-master sailed a little distance, 
and then returned, and delivered them to the resentment of 
their enemies. 

The next year, they made another attempt, in which, af\ertha 

4 



38 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 16S9. 

severest trials, they succeeded. Plaving engaged a ship belong- 
ing to Holland, for their conveyance, they were going on board. 
By some treachery, their enemies had been informed of their 
design, and, at this juncture, a great number of armed men came 
upon them. A part of the men were on board, without any of 
their effects ; the women and children were in a bark approach- 
ing the ship. The Dutch captain, apprehensive of danger to 
himself, hoisted sail, and, with a fair wind, directed his course 
to Holland. 

The passengers used every effort to persuade him to return, 
but in vain. They saw their wives and children fall into the 
hands of merciless enemies, while unable to afford them any re- 
lief. Tliey had none of their effects, not even a change of 
clothes, on board. 

A violent storm came on, which raged seven days, without 
intermission. By the violence of the storm, they were driven to 
the coast of Norway. On a sudden, the sailors exclaimed, " The 
ship has foundered; she sinks; she sinks!" The seamen trem- 
bled in despair; the pilgrims looked up to God, and cried, " Yet, 
Lord, thou canst save; ■^'et, Lord, thou canst save." To the 
astonishment of all, the vessel soon began to rise ; rode out the 
storm, and, at length, reached its destined port. After some 
time, all their friends who had been left, arrived safely in Hol- 
land. 

This congregation fixed their residence at Amsterdam. But, 
in consequence of some unhappy disputes which then agitated 
the other English churches in that city, they thought it prudent 
to remove. Accordingly, they retired the next year, and settled 
in the city of Leyden. Here they were kindly received, and 
enjo3^ed a quiet habitation. As the flames of religious tyranny 
and persecution continued to rage in England, many of their 
countrymen joined them. Under the able ministry of their be- 
loved pastor, they continued in great union and prosperity, and 
became a numerous congregation. 

After remaining a number of years in Holland, this little flock 
found their situation, on many accounts, unpleasant. The im- 
moralities of their neighbors were dangerous to the rising gene- 
ration ; the difficulties of procuring a comfortable living induced 
not a few of their sons to enter the Dutch armies; and, at no dis- 
tant day, there was reason to apprehend their posterity would 
become incorporated with the people of the couhtry, and their 
church become extinct. 

These considerations, added to the more powerful motive, the 
hope of laying a foundation for the extensive advancement of 
the kingdom of Christ in the western wilderness, induced them 
to remove to Americn. Previous to their final determination, as 
their governing maxim always was, " In all thy ways acknowl- 



SETTLEMENTS. 39 

edge God, and he shall direct thy paths/' they set apart a day 
for fasting and prayer, to seek direction from God.* 

Having decided to settle in Virginia, their next object was to 
obtain a patent, which they at length effected, from the London 
company. At the same time, they received from King James 
an intimation, that they should not be molested in respect to the 
enjoyment of their religion. They now began to prepare them- 
selves for their momentous enterprise. For this purpose, they 
procured two vessels, the Speedwell and the Mayflower. The 
Speedwell, of sixty tons, they purchased in Holland, with the 
intention of keeping her for their accommodation in America. 
The Mayflower, of one hundred and eighty tons, they hired at 
London. 

All things being in readiness for their departure fromLeyden, 
they kept a day of solemn humiliation and prayer. On the 21st 
of July, the pilgrims went to Delfthaven, a place about twenty 
miles from Leyden, and two miles from RotterdAn. Here they 
were to embark. To this port they were kindly attended by 
many of their brethren and friends from Amsterdam, as well 
as from Leyden. Leaving Delfthaven, they sailed for South- 
hampton, at which place they were joined by the rest of their 
company from London, in the Mayflower. On the 5th of Au- 
gust, 1620, both vessels set sail for the new world ; but before 
proceeding far, the Speedwell sprung a-leak, and at Plymouth, 
whither they put in, she was condemned as not seaworthy. 
Under these circumstances, a part of the emigrants were dis- 
missed, and the rest were taken on board of the Mayflower. 

With one hundred passengers, this vessel sailed from Plymouth, 
September 6th. For two months they were tossed and driven 
upon the tempestuous ocean ; till, at length, on the 9th of No- 
vember, they had the happiness to descry the bleak and dreary 
shores of Cape Cod. The part then discovered was Sandy 
Point, called Cape Malabar, in Chatham. But they were still 
remote from the place which they had selected for a habitation. 
It was their intention to settle near the mouth of the Pludson. 
Toward that river they now bent their course. But the wintry 
season, the stormy prospect, '• the perilous shoals and breakers " 
in their way, induced them to relinquish their design, and seek 
the nearest resting-place, where they might hope for tolerable 
accommodations. They therefore turned back, sailed round 
Race Point, and, after two days, November 11th, anchored in 
Cape Cod harbor, between Cape Cod and Plymouth.! 

Before landing, having devoutly given thanks to God for their 
safe arrival, they formed themselves into a body politic, forty- 
one signing a solemn contract, according to the provisions of* 
which they were to be governed. Mr. John Carver was elected 
■governor for one year. 

* Robbins's New England Fathers. j Dr. I'ari-ih. 



40 PERIOD ir.— 1G07 to 1689. 

" Government being thus established, sixteen men, well armed, 
with a few others,' were sent on shore the same day, to fetch 
wood and make discoveries ; but they returned at night, without 
having fovuid any person or habitation. The company, having 
rested on the Lord's day, disembarked on Monday, the 13th ot 
November ; and soon after proceeded to make further discovery 
of the country. 

'• On Wednesday, the 15th, Miles Standish and sixteen armed 
men, in searching for a convenient place for settlement, saw five 
or six Indians, Avhom they followed several miles, until night ; 
but, not overtaking them, were constrained to lodge in the woods. 
The next day, they discovered heaps of eartli, one of which they 
dug open ; but finding within implements of war, they conclud- 
ed these were Indian graves; and, therefore, replacing what they 
had taken out, they left them inviolate. In different heaps of sand, 
they also found baskets of corn, a quantity of which they carried 
away in a great kettle, found at the ruins of an Indian house. 
This providential discovery gave them seed for a future harvest, 
and preserved the infant colony from famine. Before the close 
of the month, Mrs. Susannah White became the mother of an 
infant son, who was called Perigrine ; and this was the first child, 
of European extraction, born in New England. 

" On the 6th of December, the shallop was sent out with sev- 
eral of the principal men, Carver, Bradford, Winslow. Standish, 
and»otherS; and eight or ten seamen, to sail round the bay, in 
search of a place for settlement. The next day, this company 
was divided ; and, while some travelled on shore, others coasted 
in the shallop. Early on the morning of the 8th, those on 
shore were surprised by a flight of arrows from a party of In- 
dians ; but oh the discharge of the English muskets, the Indians 
instantly disappeared. 

'• The shallop, after imminent hazard from the loss of its rudder 
and mast in a storm, and from shoals which it narrowly escaped, 
reached a small island on the night of the 8tli ; and here the 
company, the next day, which was the last day of the week, re- 
posed themselves with pious gratitude for their safety. On this 
island they kept the Christian sabbath. The day following, they 
Bounded the harbor, and found it fit for shipping; went on shore, 
and explored the adjacent land, where they saw various cornfields 
and brooks ; and judging the situation to "be convenient for a set- 
tlement, they returned with the welcome intelligence to the ship. 

" On the loth, they weighed anchor, and proceeded with the 
ship for this newly-discovered port, where they arrived on the 
following day. On the 18th and lOth, they went on shore for 
discovery, but returned at night to the ship. On the morning 
of the 20th, after imploring divine guidance, they went on shore 
again, to fix on some place for immediate settlement. After 
viewing the country, they concluded to settle on a high ground 



SETTLEMENTS. 



41 



facing the bay, where the land was cleared, and the water was 
excellent. 



^^^^d 


^^]^-T*^^^^^ n^JtoSi^^l^^ 




^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m 


^^^^S^^^^^«£ilH^^Si!|^?|S^^^EVL^^^^||^^^^8^^I^M 


fer-'i^^fel^i^aPMlJiii^^^Mn^^^^^^^^^^^^^mi^B 





"On Saturday, the 23d, 'as many of the company as could 
with convenience, went on shore, and felled and carried timber 
to the spot designed for the erection of a building for common use. 
On the Lord's day, the 24th, the people on shore were alarmed b};- 
the cry of Indians, and expected an assault; but they continued 
unmolested. On Monday, the 25th, they began to build the first 
house. A platform for their ordnance demanding their earliest 
attention, they began one on the 28th, on a hill, which com- 
manded an extensive prospect of the plain benea,th, of the e.x- 
panding bay, and of the distant ocean. 

'• In the afternoon, they divided their whole company into nine- 
teen families; measured out the ground, and assigned to every 
person by lot half a pole in breadth, and three poles in length, 
for houses and gardens. Though most of the company were on 
board the ship on the Lord's day, Dec. 31st, yet some of them 
kept sabbath for the first time in their new house. Here, there 
fore, is fixed the epoch of their settlement, which, in grateful 
remembrance of the Christian friends whom they found at the 
last town they left in their native country, they called PlymoutJi. 
This was the foundation of the first English town built in New 
England."^ 

4 * * IIolip.es'3 Annals, 



42 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 16S9. 

13. In November, 1620, the same month in which the 
Puritans arrived on the American coast, James I. issued 
a patent granting to the Duke of Lenox, Ferdinando 
Gorges, ;md others, styling themselves " The Council of 
Plymouth, in the county of Devon, for planting and 
governing New England, in America," the territory be- 
tween the 40th and 4Sth degrees of north latitude, and 
extending through the main land from sea to sea. 

This territory kad, until this time, been known by the name 
of North Virginia ; but now it received the name of New Eng- 
land, by royal authorit3^ The patent thus issued to the council 
of Plymouth, was the foundation of all the subsequent grants, 
under which the colonies of New Englalnd were settled. 

14. lu March, 1621, the colony of Plymouth, through 
Gov. Carver, entered into a league of friendship, com- 
merce, and mutual defence, with Masassoit, the- great 
sachem of the neighlx)ring Indians. This treaty, wiiich 
was strictly observed until the breaking out of Philip's 
war, (a period of more than fifty years,) gave general 
peace to the colony, and laid the foundation for their in- 
timate and amicable correspondence with the neighbor- 
ing Indian tribes. 

The person chiefly instrumental in bringing this event to pass, 
was Samoset. a sagamore or chief of the country lying at the dis- 
tance of about five days' journe}*. He was the first visitant of the 
colony at Plymouth, and greatly surprised the inhabitants, by call- 
ing out.ashe entered their village,*' Welcome, Englishmen ! wel- 
come, Englishmen I" He had conversed with the English fisher- 
men who had come to the easterncoast, and had learner/ some of 
the language. He informed the colony that the place where they 
were settled, Avas called by the Indians Potuxct ; that, five years 
before, a plague had swept ofFull the natives from the place, so 
that there was neither man, woman, nor child remaining. Prov- 
idence had thus singularly prepared the way for the colonies to 
take possession of the land witliout molesting a single owner. 

Samoset, having been treated with hospitality by these stran- 
gers, was disposed to cultivate a further acquaintance with them ; 
and, on his third visit, was accompanied by Squanto, a native of 
the country, who had been carried away in 1G14, by one Ilimt, 
and sold into Spain, but had been taken to London, whence he 
hnd returned to America. 

They informed the English that Masassoit, the greatest sachem 



SETTLEMENTS. 4*? 

of the neighboring Indians, wasyiear, with a guard of sixty men. 
Mutual distrust prevented, for some time, any advances from 
either side. But Squanto, who was at length sent to Masassoit, 
returned, saying that the sachem wished the English to send 
some one to confer with him. Mr. Edward Winslow was ac- 
cordingly sent, bearing suitable presents to the chief. Tl>ese 
proving acceptable, Masassoit left Mr. Winslow in the custody 
of his men as a hostage, and ventured to the English, by whom 
lie was hospitably entertained, and with whom he concluded the 
treaty already noticed. 

15. In 1621, the colony of Virginia received from 
the London company, through Sir Francis Wyat, who, 
at this time, arrived as governor, a more perfect consti- 
tution and form of government. The powers of this 
government were vested in a governor and two coun- 
cils. One of these was called the council of state, to 
advise and assist the governor. This council was to 
be appointed and removed by the company. The 
other was called the general assembly, consisting of the 
council of state, and two burgesses, or representatives, 
deputed from each town, hundred, or plantation. This 
assembly met annually, and were intrusted with the 
business of framing laws for the colony, the governor 
having a negative upon their proceedings. No laws 
were valid until ratified by a court of the company in 
England. 

16. In 1622, the Virginia colony, which for some 
time had enjoyed great prosperity, and had received fre- 
quent accessions, experienced a stroke which proved 
nearly fatal. The successor of Powhatan, who was 
of a proud, revengeful spirit, and extremely hostile to 
the colony, concerted a plan to cut them off at a blow. 
Oh the 2:2d of March, it was so far put in execution, 
that three hundred and forty-seven of the colony, men, 
v/omen, and children, were butchered almost in the same 
instant. 

The chief by whom this massacre v/as planned, and under 
whom it was executed, was Opecancanough. the successor of 
Powhatan, but a deadly foe to the English. The whole Indian 
population in the surrounding country had been enlisted by this 



i4 PEKioD II. — 1607 TO 1689. 

artful chief, and yet they visited the English settlements, and 
ev«n purchased arms and borro\^d boats to enable them to ac- 
complish their savage pm-pose. 

" On the very morning of the fatal day, as also the evening 
before, they came, as at other times, into the houses of the Eng- 
lish, with deer, tm-keys, fish, and other things to sell. At mid- 
day, the hour appointed, the blow fell ; and, in the work of death, 
neither sex nor age was spared. So quick was the execution, that 
few perceived the weapon or the blow which despatched them. 

'• Those who had sufficient warning to make resistance, saved 
their lives. Nathaniel Causie, an old soldier of Capt. Smith's, 
though cruelly v/ounded, cleaved do\\Ti one of his assailants 
with an axe, upon which the whole party wlio had surrounded 
him fled, and he escaped. At another place two men held pos- 
session of a house, against sixty Indians. At Warrasqueake, a 
Mr. Baldwin, whose wife was so badly wounded that she lay 
for dead, by repeatedly discharging his musket, drove off the 
enemy, and saved both her and himself. Ralph Hamer.the his- 
torian, defended himself in his house successfully, with spades, 
axes and brickbats. One family, living near Martin's Hundred, 
where as many as seventy-three of the English were slain, not 
only escaped the massacre, but heard nothing of it, till two or 
three days afterwards. Jamestown and some of the neighboring 
places were saved by the disclosure of a Christian Indian, named 
Chanco, who was confidentially informed of the design by his 
brother, on the morning of the 22d."* As soon as the English 
liad time to recover themselves, the)'' rose t.» avenge the death 
of their slaughtered friends, and succeeded in driving far into 
the Avilderness such as they could not destroy. But by means of 
the calamities Vv'hich fell upon the English, their settlements were 
reduced from eighty to eight; and by the year 1624, out of nine 
thousand persons who had been sent from England, but eighteen 
hundred existed in the colony. 

17. While the Virginians were mourning their 
losses, the Plymouth colony began to experience the 
distresses of famine. By the time their planting was 
finished, in 1623, they were destitute of bread and corn. 
The most gloomy anticipations were indulged, but, by a 
remarkable and well-attested interference of Divine 
Providence, they were delivered. 

From the third week in May to the middle of July, there was 
no rain. Their corn, for which they had made their utmost exer- 
tions, withered under the heat of a scorching sun, and the greater 
part of it appeared irrecoverably lost. The Indians, seeing their 

* Thatcher's Indian Biography, 



SETTLEMENTS. 45 

prospects, observed that they would soon be subdued by femine. 
wlien tlicy should lind them an easy prey. A public fast was ap 
pointed and observed with great solemnity. The morning and 
most of the day was clear and hot, but towards evening, the 
clouds collected, and, like the gracious influences of God, the 
rain descended in moderate yet copious showers. This revived 
their expiring crop, and produced a plentiful harvest. Atler which 
they observed a day of public thanksgiving, the origin of the 
annual thanksgiving which is now observed in New England.* 

18. In 1623, a number of persons from England were 
sent to America by Ferdinancio Gorges, to form settle- 
ments on lands which had been granted to them by the 
council of Plymouth, between the Merrimac and Saga- 
dahok, and extending from the ocean west to the river.'? 
of Canada. These settlers, arriving in the river Piscat- 
aqua, began two settlements, one at the mouth, called 
Little Harbor ; the other still higher up the river, at Co- 
checo, afterwards called Dover. These were the first 
settlements in New Hampshire. 



19. In 1624, the London company, which had settled 

* Robbins's New England Fathers. 



46 PERIOD II. — 1607 TO 16S9. 

Virginia, was dissolved by an act of King James I. un- 
der pretext of the calamities which had befallen the 
colony, and the dissensions which had agitated the com- 
pany. Their charter was taken away, and the govern- 
ment of the colony assumed by the crown. The king 
himself appointed the governor, in whom, with twelve 
counsellors, the powers of government were vested. 

The London company, thus dissolved, consisted of gentlemen 
of noble and disinterested views, who had expended more than 
one hundred thousand pounds of their fortunes in this first at- 
tempt to plant an English colony in America ; and more than 
nine thousand persons had been sent from the mother country to 
people this new settlement. At the time of the dissolution of 
the company, scarcely two thousand persons survived. 

The dissolution of the charter v.'as a most arbitrary act in the 
king ; and not less arbitrary and odious Avere his subsequent reg- 
ulations. Under these the people lived and suffered till 163(i. 
At this time, inflamed to madness by the oppressive conduct of 
Sir John Harvey, the then governor, they seized him, and sent 
him prisoner to England. _ I'heir conduct in this was so displeas- 
ing to the king, Charles 1., successor of James I., that he sent 
Harvey back. But. in 1G39, the king appointed Sir William 
-Berkley to succeed him. with instructions again to allow the Vir- 
ginians to elect representatives. (For the continuation of the 
history of Virginia, see Sec. 45.) 

20. It has been stated that the lands upon which the 
Plymouth colony settled, were granted by the crov.n to 
*"* the Council of Plymouth," in England, in November, 
1620. This was the same month that the Puritans had 
arrived in the country. (Sec. 13.) Being apprized 
of this grant, the colony, in 1626, began to take meas- 
ures to purchase these lands. The negotiations for this 
purpose ended the next year in a patent, which the com- 
pany granted them for one thousand eight hundred 
pounds sterling, with ample powers of government. 

The government of the colony was at first formed and conducted 
according to a voluntary compact, entered info before landing. 
(Sec. 12.) Till the year 1G24, it consisted of a governor and one 
assistant only. From this period, five vrere annually chosen, the 
governor having a double vote. The number of assistants was 
afterwards increased to seven. The laws of the colony were 
enacted, and the affairs of government conducted, by these 



SETTLEMENTS. 47 

officers, for near twenty years. In 1630, the towns in this colo- 
ny, for the first time, sent deputies. The colony continued dis- 
tinct near seventy years, until 1691, when, by charter of William 
and Mary, it was united to the colony of Massachusetts and 
the Province of Maine. 

21. In 1628, the foundation was laid for another colo- 
ny in New England, by the name of the Colony of 3Ias- 
sachusetts Bay. At this time, several enterprising men 
purchased of the council of Plymouth the territory 
which constituted the above colony. The same year, 
the purchasers sent out Mr. John Endicot, with about a 
hundred adventurers, to commence a settlement, which 
they effected at Salem, at that time called, by the Indians, 
Naumkeak. 

The territory included in the colouy of Massachusetts Bay, ex- 
tended tliree miles north of the Merrimac river, and three miles 
south of Charles river, and east and west from the Atlantic to the 
South sea. 

The settlement of Massachusetts Bay, like the colony of 
Plymouth, was commenced by non-conformists, for the purpose 
of enjoying greater religious liberty in matters of worship and 
discipline. Among the most active in this enterprise was Mr 
Endicot, already mentioned, and Mr. White, a, pious and active 
minister of Dorchester, in England. 

22. The following year, 1629, the Massachusetts 
company was confirmed by King Charles in their title 
to the soil ; and, at the same time, received the powers 
of civil government. They were incorporated by the 
name of " the Governor and Company of Massachusetts 
Bay, in New England." Soon after, a form of govern- 
ment for the new colony was settled. Mr. Endicot, 
already in the colony, was appointed governor. 

On the appointment of Mr. Endicot as governor, an expedi- 
tion was fitted out for the purpose of giving an impulse to the 
colony. Five ships were provided, which, being laden with cat- 
tie and other necessaries, sailed from England, with nearly three 
hundred planters, and arrived at Salem in June. They found 
the settlement in prosperous circumstances ; yet, not being them- 
selves pleased with the situation of Salem, two hundred of them 
removed, and settled at a place which they called Charlestoum. 

23. In the month of August of the same year, it was 
determined by the company in England, that the gov- 



48 PERIOD ir, — 1(307 to 16S9. 

eminent and the patent of the plantation should be trans- 
ferred from London to Massachusetts Bay. At the same 
time, a new election of officers for the colc-ny took 
place. John Winthrop was chosen governor, and Thom- 
as Dudley deputy-governor. Soon after their appoint- 
ment, they sailed with a large comp/any, some of whom 
settled at Charlestown, others at Boston, and in towns 
adjacent. 

On the arrival of Gov. Winthrop, in June, Avho continued from 
that lime to his death the he-id and father of the colony, he 
found the plantation in a distressed and suffering state. In the 
preceding autumn, the colony contained about three hundred 
inhabitants. Eighty of these had died, and a great part of 
the survivors were in a weak and sickly state. Their supply of 
corn was not •sufficient for more than a fortnight, and their other 
provisions were nearly exhausted. 

In addition to these evils, they Avere informed that a combina- 
tion of the various tribes of Indians was forming for the utter ex- 
tirpation of the colony. Their strength was weakness, but their 
confidence was in God, and they were not forsaken. Many of 
the planters, who arrived this summer, after long voyages, were 
in a sickly state, and disease continued to rage through the sea- 
son. By the cldse of the year, the number cf deaths exceeded 
two hundred. Among these were several of the principal per- 
sons in the colony. Mr. Higginson, the venerable minister of 
Salem, spent about a year Avith that parent church, and was re- 
moved to the church in glory. His excellent colleague. Mr. 
Skelton, did not long survive him. Mr. Johnson, one of the 
assistants, and his lady, who was a great patroness of the settle- 
ment, died soon after their arrival. Of the latter, an early his- 
torian observes, *' She left an earthly paradise, in the family of 
an earldom, to encounter the sorrows of a wilderness, for the 
entertainments of a pure wor.ship in the house of God ; and then 
immediately left that wilderness for the heavenly paradise." 

The succeeding winter conimenced in December Avith great 
severity. FeAV of the houses Avhich had been erected Avere com- 
fortable, and the most of them Avere miserable coverings. Un- 
used to such severities of climate, the poor people suffered 
severely from the cold. Many Avere frozen to death. Tiie in- 
conveniences of their accommodations increased the diseases 
which continued to prevail among them. 

But their constancy had not yet been brought to the last trial. 
During the continuance of the se\'ere season, their stock of pro- 
visions began to fail. Those aa^Iio Avanted were supplied by those- 
who possessed, as long a;i any remained. A poor man came to the- 



SETTLEMENTS. 49 

governor to complain, and was informed that the last bread of his 
house was in the oven. Many subsisted upon shell-fish, ground- 
nuts, and acorns, which, at that season, could not have been pro- 
cured but with the utmost difficulty. 

In consideration of their perilous condition, the sixth day of 
February was appointed for a day of public fasting and prayer, 
to seek deliverance from God. On the fifth of February, the 
day before the appointed fast, the ship Lion, which had been 
sent to England for supplies, arrived laden with provisions. She 
had a stormy passage, and rode amidst heavy drifts of ice, after 
entering the harbor. These provisions were distributed among 
the people, according to their necessities, and their appointed 
fast was exchanged for a day of general thanksgiving.* 

24. In 1632, Charles I. completed a patent to Coecil- 
ius Calvert, otherwise called Lord Baltimore, which had 
been designed for his father, by which was conveyed to 
him a tract of country on the Chesapeake bay, which, 
in honor of Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry the 
Great of France, he named Maryland. 

George Calvert, the father, having embraced the Roman Cath- 
olic religion, found his situation in England so unpleasant, that, 
for the sake of enjoying his religious opinions in peace, he made 
a visit to America, and having explored the territory above men- 
tioned, returned to England, for the purpose of procuring a pat- 
ent of it. Before it was completed, he died, and the patent was 
made out to his son, Cecil. By this patent, the latter came into 
possession of the country from the Potomac to the 40th degree 
of north latitude. This grant covered the land which had long 
before been granted to Virginia, as what was now granted to 
Lord Baltimore was in part subsequently given to William Penn. 
In consequence of these arbitrary acts of the crown, long and 
:)bstinate contentions arose between the descendants of Penn and 
Lord Baltimore. 

25. In 1633, Lord Baltimore appointed his brother, 
Leonard Calvert, governor of the province, who,with about 
two hundred planters, mostly Roman Catholics, left Eng- 
land near the close of this year, and arriving, in 1634, at 
the mouth of the river Potomac, purchased of the Indians 
Yoamaco, a considerable village, where they formed a 
settlement, to which they gave the name of St. Mary. 

The charter granted to the inhabitants of Maryland, conferred 
on them more ample privileges than had been conferred on any 

* Robbins's New England Fatheis 

5 



50 PERIOD II. — 1607 TO 1689. 

other colony in America. Among these privilejjes was that of 
passing laws without any reservation, on the pat of the crown, 
to revoke them. This and other favorable circumstances con- 
tributed to the rapid settlement of Maryland. 

At first, when few in number, the freemen as^fimbled in per- 
son, and enacted the necessary laws; but, in IG'JC), it was found 
expedient to constitute a " house of assembly."' This consisted 
of representatives chosen by the people, of others appointed by 
the proprietor, and of the governor and secretary, who sat together. 
In 1651J, the legislative body was divided into an upper and lower 
house — the members of the former being appointed by the pro 
prietor; those of the latter by the people. 

Few of the colonies escaped intestine troubles } nor did Maryland 
form an exception. In 1645, a rebellion broke out, chiefly caused 
by one William Clayborne. This man, vinder license from th» 
king, had, as early as 1631, formed a settlement on the island o* 
Kent ; and when the grant was made to Lord Baltimore, he re 
fused to submit to his authority. Being convicted of murder 
and other high crimes, he fled; but, in 1645, he returned, and, 
heading a party of insvirgents, for a time overthrew the govern' 
ment. The next year, order was restored, and Calvert, the gov 
ernor, who had been obliged to flee, resumed his office. 

In 1652, Lord Baltimore was deprived of the government, by 
the English parliament; but at the restoration in 1660, Philip 
Calvert was appointed governor, and the ancient order of thing? 
was restored. In 1689, on the accession of William and Mary, 
persons in their interest usurped the government of the colony ; 
but in 1716, the proprietor was restored to his rights. From thi? 
time until the revolution, he continued to enjoy them; but, ai 
this latter date, the people assumed the government to them 
selves. 

26. In 1633, the first house was erected in Connecti- 
cut. This was a trading-house at Windsor, the mate- 
rials of which a party of Plymouth adventurers trans- 
ported in a vessel up Connecticut river. 

The first discoveries made of this part of New England were 
of its principal river, and the fine meadows lying upon its banks. 
Whether the Dutch at New Netherlands, or the people of New 
Plymouth, were the first discoverers of the river, is not certain. 
Both the English and Dutcli claimed this honor, and both pur 
chased and made a settlement of the lands upon it nearly at the 
same time. 

In 1631, Wahquimicut, a sachem upon the river Connecticut, 
made a journey to Plymouth and Boston, earnestly soliciting the 
governors of each of the colonies to send men, to form settle- 
ments upon the river. He represented the country as exceed- 



SETTLEMENTS. 51 

ingly fruitful, and promised that he would supply the English, 
if they would make a settlement there, with corn annually, and 
give them eighty beaver-skins. He urged that two men might 
be sent to view the country. Had this invitation been accepted, 
it might have prevented the Dutch claim to any part of the lands 
upon the river, and opened an extensive trade in hemp, furs, 
and deer-skins, with all the Indians upon it, and far into Canada. 

The governor of Massachusetts treated the sachem and his 
company with generosity, but paid no further attention to his 
proposal. Mr. Winslow, the governor of Plymouth, judging it 
worthy of attention, himself made a journey to Connecticut, 
discovered the river, and the lands adjacent. 

Two years from this time, the people of Tlymouth began to 
make preparations for erecting a trading-house, and establishing 
a small company upon the river. In the mean time, the Dutch, 
having heard of the intended enterprise of the people of Plym- 
outh, sent a party to the river, who erected a fort, where the 
city of Hartford is now situated. 

Having at length prepared the frame of a house, William 
Holmes, Avho commanded the Plymouth expedition, proceeded 
in a vessel with his party for Connecticut. He had a commis- 
sion from the governor of Plymouth, and a chosen company to 
accomplish his design. After entering the river, he found that 
the Dutch had entered before him, constructed a light fort, and 
planted two pieces of cannon. This was erected at the place since 
called Hartford. The Dutch forbid Holmes going up the river, 
stood by their cannon, and ordered him to strike his colors, or they 
would fire upon him. But being a man of spirit, he assured them 
that he had a commission from the governor of Plymouth to go 
up the river, and that he must obey his orders. They poured 
out their threats ; but he proceeded, and, landing on the west side 
of the river, erected his house below the mouth of the little river 
in Windsor. The house was covered with the utmost despatch, 
and fortified with palisades. The Dutch, considering them as 
intruders, sent, the next year, a band of seventy men to drive 
them from the country ; but finding them strongly posted, they 
relinquished the design. 

27. In the autumn of 1635, a company, consisting 
of sixty men, women, and children, from the settlements 
of Newtoivn and Watertown, in Massachusetts, com- 
menced their journey through the wilderness to Con- 
necticut river. On their arrival, they settled at Wind- 
sor, Wethersfield, and Hartford. 

They commenced their journey on the 15th of October. A 
wide wilderness spread before them. With incredible difficulty 



52 PERIOD II. — 1607 TO 1689. 

they made their way through swamps and rivers, over hills and 
mountains. So long were they on their journe3% and so much 
time was spent in passing the river, and in getting over their cattle, 
that, after all their exertions, winter came upon them before 
they were prepared. This was an occasion of great distress and 
damage to the planters. By the 15th of November, Connecticut 
river was frozen over, and the snow was so deep, and the sea- 
son so tempestuous, that a considerable number of the cattle, 
which had been driven from Massachusetts, could not be brought 
across the river. The people had so little time to prepare their 
huts and houses, and to erect sheds and shelters for their cattle, 
that the sufferings of man and beast were extreme. 

It being impracticable to transport much provision or furni- 
ture through a pathless wilderness, they were put on board sev- 
eral small vessels, which were either cast away or did not ar- 
rive. Several vessels were wrecked on the coasts of New Eng- 
land, by the violence of the storms. Two shallops, laden with 
goods fromBostonfor Connecticut, were castaway, and the men, 
with every thing on board, lost. A vessel with six of the Con- 
necticut people on board, which sailed from the river for Boston, 
early in November, was, about the middle of the month, cast 
away in JVIanamet bay. The men got on shore, and, after wan 
dering ten days in a deep snow and a severe sjjason, without 
meeting any human being, arrived, nearly spent with cold and 
fatigue, at New Plymouth. 

About the first of December, provisions generally failed in 
the settlements on the river, and famine and death looked the 
inhabitants in the face. Some of them, driven by hunger, at- 
tempted their way, in this severe season, through the wilderness 
from Connecticut to Massachusetts. Of thirteen, in one com- 
pany, who made this attempt, one, in passing the rivers, fell 
through the ice, and was drowned. The other twelve were ten 
days on their journey, and would all have perished had it not 
been for the assistance of the Indians. Such was the general 
distress early in December, that a considerable part of the new 
settlers were obliged to abandon their habitations. Seventy per- 
sons, men, women and children, determined to go down the 
river to meet their provisions, as the only expedient to preserve 
their lives. Not meeting with the vessels which they expected, 
they all went on board the Rebecca, a vessel of about sixty tons. 
This, two days before, was frozen in, twenty miles yp the river; 
but, by the falling of a small rain, together with the tide, the ice 
became so broken, that she was enabled to get out. She ran, 
however, upon the bar, and the people were forced to unlade 
her to get her off. She was reladed, and in five days reached 
Boston. 

The people who kept their stations on the river, suffered in an 
extreme degree. After all the help they were able to obtain, by 



SETTLEMENTS. 53 

hunting and from the Indians, they were obliged to subsist on 
acorns, malt, and grains. Numbers of cattle, \vhich could not 
be got over the river before winter, lived through without any 
thing but what they found in the woods and meadows. They 
wintered as well, or better, than those which were brought over, 
and for which all the provision possible was made. Hov/ever. a 
great number of cattle perished. The Windsor people lost in 
this single article about two hundred pounds sterling. Their 
other losses were very considerable.* 

28. During the same year, 1635, in which the above 
towns were settled in Connecticut, John Winthrop, son 
of the governor of Massachusetts, arrived from England, 
with a commission as governor of Connecticut, under 
Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brooke, to whom the coun- 
cil of Plymouth had sold, in March, 1631, a patent of 
the territory. 

This patent included that part of New England which extends 
from Narraganset river one hundred and twenty miles on a 
straight line, near the shore, towards the south-west, as the coast 
lies, towards Virginia, and within that breadth, from the Atlantic 
ocean and the South sea. This is the original patent of Con- 
necticut. 

Soon after Winthrop's arrival at Boston, he despatched a bark 
of thirty tons, with twenty men, to take possession of Connecti- 
cut river, and to build a fort at its mouth. This was accordingly 
erected, and called Saybrook fort. A few days after their arri- 
val, a Dutch vessel from New Netherlands appeared, to take pos- 
session of the river ; but, as the English had already mounted 
two cannon, their landing was prevented. 

The next June, 1636, the Rev. Messrs. Hooker and Stone, 
with a number of settlers from Dorchester and Watertown. re- 
moved to Connecticut. With no guide but a compass, they 
made their waj^ one hundred miles over mountains, through 
swamps and rivers. Their journey, which was on foot, lasted a 
fortnight, during which they lived upon the milk of their cows. 

They drove one hundred and sixty cattle. This party chiefly 
settled at Hartford. Mr. Hooker and Mr. Stone became the pas- 
tors of the church in that place, and were both eminent as men 
and ministers. The death of Mr. Hooker occurred in 1647. 
About the time of his departure, afriend, standing by, said, " Sir, 
you are going to receive the reward of all your labors." He re- 
plied, " Brother, I am going to receive mercy y Mr. Stone died 
in 1663. 

* Robbius's New England Fathers. 



54 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

29. This year, 1636, Roger Williams, having been 
banished from the colony of Massachusetts in 1634, re*- 
moved with his family to Mooshawsic, and began a 
plantation, which he called Providence. From this we 
date the settlement of Rhode Island. 

Mr. WiUiams, who thus commenced the settlement of Rhode 
Island, came from England in 1631 ; and. having resided a short 
time at Plymouth, removed to Salem, in Massachusetts, and be- 
came the pastor of the church in that place. During his con- 
nection with the people of Salem, he promulgated opinions 
v/hich v/ere contrary to those prevalent at that day in the colo- 
nies, and among them, •' that the civil magistrate is bound to 
afford equal protection to every denomination of Christians." 
On account of this doctrine, he was sentenced to depart out of 
the territory. At first he repaired to Seeconk, where he pro- 
cured a grant of land from the Indians. •• Being informed, hov/- 
ever, by the governor of Plymouth, that the land was within the 
limits of that colony, he proceeded to Mooshawsic, where, in 163t), 
Vv'ith those friends who followed him, he began a plantation. He 
purchased the land of the Indians, and, in grateful acknowledg- 
ment of the kindness of heaven, he called the place Providence. 
Acting in conformity with the wise and liberal principle, for 
avowing and maintaining which, he had suffered banishment, 
he allowed entire freedom of conscience to all who came within 
his borders. And to him must be given the glory of having first 
set a practical example of the equal toleration of all religious 
sects, in the same political community. His labors were not 
confined to his civilized brethren. He labored to enlighten, im- 
prove, and conciliate the savages. He learned their language, 
travelled among them, and gained the entire confidence of their 
chiefs. He had often the happiness, by his influence over them, 
of saving from injury the colony which had proclaimed him an 
outlaw, and driven him into the wilderness."* 

In 1(j3S, William Coddington and seventeen others, being per- 
secuted for their religious tenets in Massachusetts, followed Mr. 
Williams to Providence. By his advice, they purchased of the 
Indians the island Aquetneck. and began a settlement on the 
northern part of it. Others followed the next summer, and com- 
iE.enced another settlement on the south-western side — dividing 
the island into two townships, Portsmouth and Newport. They 
formed themselves into a body politic, and elected Mr. Codding* 
ton chief magistrate. 

In 1640, the inhabitants of Providence agreed upon a form of 
government. Rhode Island, so called from a fancied resem- 
blance to the ancient island of Rhodes, soon began to be exten 

* History of the United States 



SETTLEMENTS. 55 

sively settled, both on account of its natural fertility, and also on 
account of the religious freedom allowed to all denominations. 

In 1()44, Roger Williams visited England, as agent of the set- 
tlers, and obtained of the Earl of Warwick, one of the Plymouth, 
company, a free charter of incorporation for Providence and 
Rhode Island plantations. 

In 1663, a royal ciiarter was granted to them, by Charles II. 
This charter constituted an assembly, consisting of a governor, 
deputy-governor, and ten assistants, with the representatives 
from the several towns, all to be chosen by the freemen. 

In 1686, Andros being made governor of New England, he 
dissolved the charter of Rhode Island, and appointed a council 
to assist him in governing the colony. Three years after, Wil- 
liam, Prince of Orange, ascended the throne of England, and 
Andros was seized and imprisoned ; (Period iii. Sec. 1.) upon 
which the freemen assembled at Newport, and, having resumed 
their charter, restored all the officers whom Andros had displaced. 

30. The year 1637 is remarkable, in the history of 
Connecticut, for the war with tho Pequots, a tribe of 
Indians, whose principal settlement was on a hill, in 
the present town of Groton. 

Prior to this time, the Pec^uots had frequently annoyed the 
infant colony, and in several instances had killed some of its in- 
habitants. In March of this year, the commander of Saybrook 
fort, with twelve men, was attacked by them, and three of his 
party killed. In April, another portion of this tribe assaulted 
the people of Wethersfield, as they were going to their fields to 
labor, and killed six men and three women. Two girls were 
taken captive by them, and twenty cows were killed. 

hi this perilous state of the colony, a court was summoned at 
Hartford, May 1. After mature deliberation, it was determined 
that war should be commenced against the Pequots. 

Ninety men, nearly half the fencible men of the colony, were 
ordered to be raised ; forty-two from Hartford, thirty from Wind- 
sor, and eighteen from Wethersfield. 

With these troops, together with seventy river and Mohegan 
Indians, Capt. Mason, to whom the command of the expedition 
was given, sailed down the river Connecticut to Saybrook. Here 
a plan of operations was formed, agreeabl}'- to which, on the 2Gth 
of May, about the dawn of day, Capt. Mason surprised Mystic, 
one of the principal forts of the enemy, in the present town of 
Stonington. On their near approach to the fort, a dog barked, 
and an Indian, who now discovered them, cried out, '' O wanux • 
O wanux !" Englishmen ! Englishmen ! 

The troops instantly pressed forward, and fired. The destruc- 
tion of the enemy soon became terrible, but they rallied at length., 



66 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO lt)89. 

And made a manly resistance. After a severe and protracted 
conflict, Capt. Mason and his troops being nearly exhausted, 
and victory still doubtful, he cried out to his men, JFc must burn 
them .' 

At the same instant, seizing a firebrand, he applied it to a wig- 
wam. The flames spread rapidly on every side ; and as the 
sun rose upon the scene, it' showed the work of destruction to 
be complete. Seventy wigwams were in ruins, and between five 
and six hundred Indians lay bleeding on the ground, or smoul- 
dering in the ashes. 

But, though the victory was complete, the troops were now in 
great distress. Besides two killed, sixteen of their number were 
wounded. Their surgeon, medicines, and provisions, were on 
board some vessels, on tlieir way to Pequot harbor, now New 
London. While consulting what should be done in this emer- 
gency, how great was their joy to descry their vessels standing 
directly towards the harbor, under a prosperous wind ! 

Soon after, a detachment of nearly two hundred men, from 
Massachusetts and Plymouth, arrived to assist Connecticut in 
prosecuting the war. 

Sassacus, the great sachem of the Peqnots, and bis warriors, 
were so appalled at the destruction of Mystic, that they fled 
towards Hudson's river. The troops pursued them as far as a 
great swamp in Fairfield, Avhere .another action took place, in 
which the Indians were entirely vanquished. 

This was followed by a treaty with the remaining Pequots, 
about two hundred in number, agreeably to which they were di- 
vided among the Narragansetts and Moliegans. 

Thus terminated a conflict, which, for a time, was eminently 
distressing to the colonies. This event of peace was celebrated 
throughout New England, by a day of thanksgiving and praise. 

31. During the expedition against the Pequots, the 
English became acquainted with Q,uinnapiak, or New 
Huvcn; and the next year, 1638, the settlement of that 
town was effected. This, and the adjoining towns, soon 
after settled, were distinguished by the name of the 
COLONY OF New Haven. 

Among the founders of this colony, which was the fourth in 
New England, was Mr. John Davenport, for some time a dis- 
tinguished minister in London. To avoid the indignation of the 
persecuting Archbishop Laud, in 1G33, he fled to Holland. Hear- 
ing, while in exile, of the prosperity of the New England set- 
tlements, he meditated a removal to America. On his return 
to England, Mr. Theophilus Eaton, an eminent merchant in 
London, with Mr. Hopkins, afterwards governor of Connecticut^ 



SETTLEMENTS, 57 

and several others, determined to accompany him. They ar- 
rived in Boston in June, 1037. 

This company were inclined to commence a new plantation, 
and lay tlie foundation of a separate colony. Though the most 
advantageous ofl'ers were made them by the government of Mas- 
sachusetts, to choose any place within their jurisdiction, they pre- 
ferred a place without the limits of the existing colonies. They 
accordingly fixed upon New Haven as the place of their future 
residence, and on the 18th of April, they kept their first Sabbath 
in the place, under a large oak tree, where Mr. Davenport 
preached to them. 

32. The following year, January 14, 1G39, the three 
towns on Connecticut river, Windsor, Hartford, and 
Wethersfieid, finding themselves without the limits of 
the Massachusetts patent, met, and formed themselves 
into a distinct commonwealth, and adopted a consti- 
tution. 

This constitution, which has been much admired, and which, 
for more than a century and a half, underwent little alteration, 
ordained that there should annually be two general assemblies, 
one in April, the other in Septt;mber. In April, the officers of 
government were to be elected by the freemen, and to consist 
of a governor, deputy-governor, and five or six assistants. The 
towns were to send deputies to the general assemblies. Under 
this constitution, the first governor was John Haynes, and Roger 
Ludlow the first deputy- governor. 

33. The example of the colony of Connecticut, in 
forming a constitution, was followed, the next June, by 
the colony of New Haven. Both constitutions were 
essentially alike. 

In October following, the government was organized, when 
Mr. Eaton was chosen governor. To this office he was annually 
elected, till his death, in 1657. No one of the New England 
colonies was so much distinguished for good order and internal 
tranquillity as the colony of New Haven. Her principal men 
were distinguished for their wisdom and integrity, and directed 
the alFairs of the colony with so much prudence, that she was 
seldom disturbed by divisions within, or by aggressions from the 
Indians from without. 

Having been bred to mercantile employments, the first settlers 
belonging to this colony were inclined to engage in commercial 
pursuits ; but in these they sustained several severe losses ; and, 
among others, that of a new ship of one hundred and fifty tons, 
which was foundered at sea, in 1647, and which was freighted with 



58 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

a valuable cargo, and manned with seamen and passengers from 
many of the best families in the colony. This loss discouraged, 
for a time, their commercial pursuits, and engaged their atten- 
tion more particularly in the employments of agriculture. 

84. This same year, 1639, Sir Ferdinando Gorges 
obtained of tiie crown' a distinct charter, in confirmation 
of his own grant {Sec. 18) of all the lands from Piscat- 
aqua to Sagadahoc, styled the Province of Maine; 
soon after which, he formed a system of government 
for the province, and incorporated a city near the moun«- 
tain Agamenticus, in York, by the name of Georgeana; 
but neither the province nor city flourished. In 165*2) 
the province was taken under the jurisdiction of Massa- 
chusetts, by the request of the people of Maine, and 
continued in this connection till 1820, when it became 
a separate and independent state. 

It would exceed our limits to examine the different grants of 
territory, which were made, at different times, of the state of 
Maine. In lGr>'2. at the time the province was taken under the 
jurisdiction of Massachusetts, it was made a county by the name 
of Yorkshire. It had the privilege of sending deputies to the 
general court at Boston. Massachusetts laid claim to the prov 
mce, as lying within her charter of 1G23, and, after various con- 
troversies, the territory was incorporated with her in 1691. In 
1786, 1787, 1802. and 181G, efforts were made by a portion of 
the people of ^ Maine to become separate from INIassachusetts 
proper ; but to this a majority of the inhabitants were averse. 
In 1818, however, this measure was effected ; and, on the 
3d of March, 1820, the district, by an act of congress, became 
an independent state. 

35. The next event of importance in our history, is 
the union of the colonies of Massachusetts, Plymouth, 
Connecticut and New Haven, by the name of Thk 
United Colonies of New England. The articles of 
this confederation, vvhich had been agitated for three 
years, were signed May 19th, 1643, 

To this union the colonies were strongly urged, by a 
sense of common danger from the Indians, (a general 
combination of whom was expected,) and by the claims 
And encroachments of the Dutch, at Manhattan, New 
York. 



SETTLEMENTS. 0§ 

By these articles of union, each colony retained its distinct and 
separate government. No two colonies might be united into one, 
nor any colony be received into the confederacy, without the con- 
sent of the whole. Each colony was to elect two commissioners > 
who should meet annually, and at other times, if necessary, and 
should determine " all affairs of v/ar and peace, of leagues, aids, 
charges, and numbers of men for war," &c. Upon notice that 
any colony was invaded, the rest were immediately to despatch 
assistance. 

This union subsisted more than forty years, until tlie charters 
of the colonies were either taken away, or suspended, by James 
II. and his commissioners. 

In 1648, Rhode Island petitioned to be admitted to this con- 
federacy, but v/as denied, unless she would be incorporated with 
Plymouth, and lose her separate existence. This she refused^ 
and was consequently excluded. 

The effects of this union on the New England colonies were^ 
in a high degree, salutary. On the completion of it, several In- 
dian sachems, among whom were the chiefs of the Narragansett 
and Mohegan tribes, came forward and submitted to the English 
government. The colonies also became formidable, by means of 
it, to the Dutch. This union was also made subservient to the 
civil and religious improvement of the Indians. 

Prior to this period, Mr. Mayhew and the devoted Elliot had 
made considerable progress towards civilizing the Indians, and 
converting them to Christianity. They had learned the Indiari 
language, and had preached to the Indians in their own tongue. 

Upon a report in England of what these men had done, a so- 
ciety was formed for propagating the gospel among the Indians, 
which sent over books, money, &c. to be distributed by the com^ 
-missioners of the United Colonies. 

The Indians, at first, made great opposition to Christianity 5 
and such was their aversion to it, that, had they not been over- 
awed by the United Colonies, it is probable they would have put 
to death those among them who embraced it. Such, however, 
were the ardor, energy and ability of Messrs. Mayhew and Elliot, 
aided by the countenaU'Ce and support of government, and blessed 
by Providence, that, in 1660, there were ten towns of converted 
Indians in Massachusetts. In 1695, there were not less than 
three thousand adult Indian converts in the islands of Martha's 
Vineyard and Nantucket. 

36. 1663. The colony of Connecticut, having pe- 
titioned King Charles II. through Governor Winthrop, 
for a charter of incorporation, his majesty, in accordance 
with their wishes, issued his letters patent, April 2d, 
constituting them a body corporate and politic, by the 



60 PERIOD II. — IG07 TO 16S9. 

name of The Governor and Company of the English 
Colony of Connecticut, in New England, in America. 

The t' rritory granted to Lord Say and Seal, and Lord Brooke, 
in JG31 [Src. JiS.) and confirmed by this charter to Connecticut, 
was bo< nded east by Narragansett river ; south by Long Island 
sound . north by Massachusetts ; and extended west to the Pa- 
cific o.ean. 

The charter of Connecticut ordained that there should be a 
governor, deputy-governor, and twelve assistants, to be chosen 
annually. The charter instituted two general assemblies fijr 
each year, to consist of the above officers, and deputies from the 
towns ; the former to compose the upper, and the deputies the 
lower, house. The government under the charter was essentially 
the same with that which the people had themselves adopted in 
1G39, {Sec. 3'2,) and continued to be the constitution of the colo- 
ny and state of Connecticut, until the year 1618, when a con- 
vention was assembled which framed a new constitution. 

This charter included tlie colony of New Haven ; but not be- 
ing agreeable to that colony, it did not unite with Connecticut 
until two years after. The granting of a charter to Connecticut 
was followed, the next year, 1GG3, by a similar grant to Rhode 
Island and Providence plantations, as already noticed. {Sec. 29.) 

37. In 16G4, Charles IL granted to his brother, the 
Duke of York and Albany, the territory included in the 
several colonies of New York, New Jersey, and Dela- 
ware. In the course of the same year, the latter de- 
spatched an expedition, under command of Col. Richard 
Nichols, to the Dutch colony at Manhattan, which had, 
for many years, denied the right of the English to con- 
trol it. This expedition arrived at Manhattan in Au- 
gust, and demanded a surrender of the territory to his 
Enfrlish majesty. The Dutch governor, being unpre- 
pared for defence, complied with the demand, and the 
whole country passed into the hands of the English. In 
honor of the duke, the two principal Dutch settlements 
were now named New York and Albany. 

The first settlement of the Dutch at Manhattan, in 1G13. and 
their surrender to the English the same year, have already been 
noticed. {Sec. 9.) Soon at\er, however, they revolted ; and, the 
claims of the English being neglected, they continued to man- 
age for themselves, until the above year, 1G64. 

Nichols having entered the harbor, Stuyvesant,the Dutch gov- 



SETTLEMENTS. 61 

ernor, sent a letter to hira, to desire the reason of his approach. 
To this the latter replied, the next day, by a summons to sur- 
render. Stuyvesant, determining on a defence, refused to sur- 
render ; but, at length, finding himself without the means of 
resistance, and that many of the people were desirous of passing 
under the jurisdiction of the English, he surrendered the govern 
ment into the hands of Col. Nichols, who promised to secure to 
the governor and inhabitants, their liberties and estates, with 
all the privileges of English subjects. The administration of 
Nichols continued for three years, and was marked by great 
integrity and moderation. Upon his n^turn to England, in 1(167, 
he was succeeded by Col. Lovelace, who administered the gov- 
ernment with equal moderation. 

38. A short time previous to the surrender of the 
Dutch, the Duke of York conveyed to Lord Berkley and 
Sir George Carteret the territory of Neu^ Jersey. This 
name was given it in compliment to Carteret, who had 
been governor of the Isle of Jersey, in the English 
channel. Soon after the grant, but before it was known, 
three persons from Long Island purchased of the natives, 
a tract, which was called Elizabethtown grant, and a 
settlement was begun at Elizabethtown. Other towns 
were soon settled by emigrants from the colonies and 
from Europe. In consequence of these opposite claims 
to the territory, much discord prevailed between the pro- 
prietors and the inhabitants. 

The first settlement within the limits of New Jersey was made 
by the Danes, about the year 1624, at a place called Bergen. 
Some Dutch families, also, about the same time, planted them- 
selves on the Jersey side, near New York. In 1626, a colony 
of Swedes and Finns purchased land on both sides of the river 
Delaware, and formed a settlement on its western bank. In 1640, 
the English began a plantation at Elsingburgh, on its eastern 
bank. But this was soon after broken up by the Swedes, with 
the assistance of the Dutch from Manhattan. From this time, 
until 1655, the Swedes held possession of the country on both 
sides of the Delaware, when the Dutch governor, Stuyvesant, 
subdued them. The Dutch now held possession until 1664, when 
the territory passed into the hands of the English. 

39. The next year, 1665, Philip Carteret, who had 
been appointed governor by the proprietors, arrived at 
Elizabethtown, which he made the seat of government. 



62 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

He administered the government according to a consti- 
tution which the proprietors had formed-. 

This constitution ordained a free assembly, consisting of a 
governor, council, and representatives; the latter to be chosen 
by each town. The legislative power resided in the assembly ; 
the executive in the governor and council. (See Sec. 46.) 

40. Delaware was also included in the grant to the 
Duke of York. At this time, it was in possession of 
the Dutch ; but an expedition being sent against it under 
Sir Robert Carr. it surrendered, October 1, 1(564 ; soon 
after which it was placed under the authority of the 
English governor of New York. 

Delaware was first settled in 1G27, by a number of Swedes and 
Finns, who, at the instance of Gustavus Adolphus, king of Swe- 
den, emigrated to America. They landed at Cape Henlopen, 
which, on account of its beauty, they called Paradise Point ; the 
DelaAvare they named Sv.edeland Stream. 

The Dutch at New Netherlands laid claim, however, to the 
territory ; and mutual contests subsisted for a long time between 
them and the Swedes. After several times changing masters, 
the territory finally surrendered to the Dutch, who held posses- 
sion of it at the time of the English expedition against it under 
Carr, in 1GG4. It was now considered a part of New York. In 
1682, however, the Duke of York sold the town of New Castle, 
and the coimtry twelve miles around it, to William Penn, and, 
some time after, the territory between New Castle and Cape 
Henlopen. These tracts, then known by the name of '' Territo- 
rieis," constitute the present state of Delaware. Until 1703, they 
were governed as a part of Pennsylvania ; but, at that time, they 
had liberty from the proprietor to form a separate and distinct 
assembly ; the governor of Pennsylvania, however, still exercis- 
ing jurisdiction over them. {Sec. 49.) 

41. After the reduction of New York by Col. Nichols, 
{Sec. 37.) he, with Sir Robert Carr, George Cartwright, 
and Samuel Maverick, proceeded to New England, un- 
der a commission from King Charles, " to hear and de- 
termine complaints and appeals, in all causes, as well 
military as criminal and civil," within New England, and 
to proceed in all things for settling the peace and secu- 
rity of the country. 

The conduct of these commissioners was exceeding- 



SETTLEMENTS. 63 

Jy arbitrary and offensive to the colonies. Under pre- 
text of executing their commission, they received com- 
plaints against the colonies from the Indians ; required 
persons, against the (Consent of the people, to be ad- 
mitted to the privileges of freemen, to church member- 
ship, and full communion ; heard and decided in causes 
which had already been determined by the established 
courts ; and gave protection to criminals. After involv- 
ing the colonies in great embarrassment and expense, 
they were at length recalled, and the country saved from 
impending ruin. 

42. The settlement v/hich next claims our notice is 
that of Carolina, so called in honor of Charles IX., 
under whose patronage the coast had been discovered 
in 1563. The territory thus named included the lands 
between the 30th and 36th degrees of north latitude, 
and extending from the Atlantic ocean to the South sea. 
In 1663, this tract was conveyed by Charles II., king of 
England, to Lord Clarendon and seven others, with am- 
ple powers to settle and govern it. 

Before the above grant to Clarendon, (between 1640 and 
1650,) a settlement was begun in Albemarle county, by planters 
from Virginia and emigrants (rom other places. This settlement 
was placed under the superintendence of Gov. Berkley of Vir- 
ginia. 

The second settlement was made in 1665, near the mouth of 
Clarendon or Cape Fear river, by emigrants from Barbadoes, who 
invested Sir John Yeomans with the authority of governor. 
Both the above were within the present limits of North Carolina. 

The third settlement was at Port Royal, in the present limits 
of South Carolina, under direction of Governor Sayle, 1670. In 
1671, he founded Old Charleston, on the banks of the river Ash- 
ley. In 1680, this locwtion was abandoned for Oyster Point, on 
■ which was commenced the present city of Charleston. 

In the year 1671, Gov. Sayle dying, Sir John Yeomans, gov- 
ernor of Clarendon, was appointed to succeed him. In conse- 
quence of this, the inhabitants of this latter settlement, within a 
few years, removed to that of Charleston, and the three govern- 
ments consequently were reduced to two. Beincr widely separated, 
the distinctive names of North and South Carolina began to be 
used in respect to them. 

During the administration of Gov. Sayle, a constitution, pre- 



64 PERIOD II.— 1G07 TO 1689. 

fared at the request of the proprietors, by the celebrated Mr. 
iOcke, was attempted to be put in force. 
By this constitution, a president of a palatine court, to consist 
of the proprietors, was to be chosen for life. An hereditary no 
bility was to be established, consisting of landgraves and caciques 
A parliament, chosen once in two years, was to be held, consisting 
of the proprietors, of the nobility, and of representatives from each 
district. All were to meet in one apartment, and to have an 
equal voice. No business, however, could be proposed in parlia- 
ment, until it had been debated in a grand council, to consist of 
the governor, nobility, and deputies of proprietors. 

This constitution it was found impossible to reduce to practice. 
Great opposition was made to it ; and in Albemarle an insurrec- 
tion was occa^oned by an attempt to enforce it. It was, there- 
fore, at length, abandoned, and the former proprietary government 
restored. This latter sort of government continued from 16G9to 
1719, when the charter was vacated by the crown, and tlie gov- 
ernment taken under the royal protection. In 1729, the proprie- 
tors surrendered their right to the government, and interest in the 
soil, to the king, upon which the province was divided into North 
and South Carolina, and their governors and councils were ap- 
pointed by the crown. (See Period III. 6'ec. 20.) 

43. The year 1675 was distinguished for a memorable 
war, in New England, with the Indians, called King 
Philip's 2var ; by which the pe^ce of the colonies was 
greatly disturbed, and their existence, for a time, serious- 
ly endangered. 

For several years previous to the opening of the war, the In- 
dians had regarded the English with growing jealousy. They 
saw them increasing in numbers, and rapidly extending their 
settlements. At the same time, their own hunting grounds were 
visibly narrowing, and their power and privileges sensibly de- 
creasing. The prospect before them was humbling to the 
haughty descendants of the original lords of the soil. 

The principal exciter of the Indians, at this time, against the 
English, was Philip, sachem of the Wampanoags, grandson and 
successor of Masassoit, who, fifty years before, had made a treaty 
with the colony of Plymouth. (.Sec. 14.) The residence of Philip 
was at Mount Hope, in Bristol, Rhode Island. 

The immediate cause of the war was the execution of three 
Indians by the English, whom Philip had excited to murder one 
Sausaman, an Indian missionary. Sausaman, being friendly to 
the English, had informed them that Philip, with several tribes, 
was plotting their destruction. 

The execution of these Indians roused the anger of Philip, who 
immediately armed his men, and commenced hostilities. Their 



t SETTLEMENTS. 65 

first attack was made June 24th, upon the people of Swanzey, 
in. Plymouth colony, as they were returning from public worship, 
on a day of humiliation and prayer, which had been appointed 
under an apprehension of an approaching war. Eight or nine 
persons were killed. 

The country being immediately alarmed, tlie troops of the 
colony repaired to the defence of Swanzey. On tlie 28th, a com- 
pany of horse and a company of foot, with one hundred and ten 
volunteers from Boston, joined the Plymouth forces. The next 
morning,' an attack was made upon a party of Philip's men, who 
were pursued, and five or six of thein killed. This resolute con- 
duct of the English made a deep impression on the enemy. 
Philip, with his forces, left Mount Hope the same night ; mark 
ing his route, however, with the burning of houses, and the 
scalping of the defenceless inhabitants. 

It being known that the Narragansets favored the cause of 
Philip, he having sent his women and children to them for pro- 
tection, the Massachusetts forces, under Capt. Hutchinson, pro- 
ceeded forthwith into their country, either to renew a treaty with 
them, or to give them battle. Fortunately, a treaty was conclud- 
ed, and the troops returned. 

On the 17th of July, news arrived that Philip, with his war- 
riors, was in a swamp at Pocasset, now Tiverton. The Massa- 
chusetts and Plymouth forces immediately marched to that place, 
and the next day resolutely charged the enemy in their recesses. 
As the' troops entered the swamp, the Indians continued to retire. 
The English in vain pursued, till the approach of night, when 
the commander ordered a retreat. Many of the English were 
killed, and the enemy seemed to take courage. 

It being impossible to encounter the Indians with adVantage 
in the swamps, it was determined to starve them out; but Philip, 
apprehending their design, contrived to escape with his forces. 

He now fled to the Nipmucks, a tribe in Worcester county, 
Massachusetts, whom he induced to assist him. This tribe had 
already commenced hostilities against the English ; but, in the 
hope of reclaiming them, the governor and council sent Captains 
Wheeler and Hutchinson to treat with them. But the Indians, 
having intimation of their coming, lurked in ambush for them, 
fired upon them as they approached, killed eight men, and mor- 
tally wounded eight more, of whom Capt. Hutchinson was 
one. 

The remainder of the English fled to Quaboag, Brookfield. 
The Indians, however, closely pursued them into the town, and 
burnt every house excepting the one in which the inhabitants had 
taken refuge. This house also, at length, they surrounded, and 
*' for two days continued to pour a storm of musket balls upon it, 
and although great numbers passed through the walls, but one 
person was killed. With long poles- they next thrust against it 



66 



PERIOD n, — 1607 TO 1689. 



brands ana ra^s dipped in brimstone ; they sliot arrows of fire ; 
tliey loaded a cart with flax and tow, and, witli long poles fastened 
together, they pushed it against the house. Destruction seemed 
inevitable. The ho^ise was kindling, and the savages stood ready 
to destroy the first that should open the door to escape. At this 
awful moment, a torrent of rain descended, and suddenly extin- 
guished the kindling flames." 




On the 4th of August, Major Willard came to their relief, 
raised the siege, and destroyed a considerable number of the as- 
sailants. 

During the month of September, Hadley, Deerfield, and North- 
field, on Connecticut river, were attacked : several of the inhab- 
itants were killed, and many buildings consumed. On the 18th, 
Capt. Lathrop, with several teams, and eighty young men, the 
flower of the county of Essex, were sent to Deerfield to trans- 
port a quantity of grain to Hadley. On their return, stopping 
to gather grapes at Muddy brook, they v/ere suddenly attacked 
by near eight hundred Indians. Resistance was in vain ; and 
seventy of these young men fell before the merciless enemy, and 
were buried in one grave. Capt. Mosely, who was at Deerfield, 
hearing the report of the gnns, hastened to the spot, and, with a 
few men, attacked the Indians, killed ninety-six, and wounded 
forty, losing himself but two men. 



SETTLEMENTS. 67 

Early in October, the Springfield Indians, who had hitherto 
been friendly to the English, concerted a plan, with the hostile 
tribes, to burn that town. Having, under cover of night, received 
two or three hundred of Philip's men into their fort, with their 
assistance they set fire to the town. The plot, however, was dis- 
covered so seasonably, that troops arrived from Westfield in time 
to save the town, excepting thirty-two houses, which had been 
previously consumed. 

St)on after hostilities were commenced by Philip, the Tarren- 
teens began their depredations in New Hampshire and the 
Province of Maine. They robbed the boats and plundered the 
houses of the English. In September, they fell on Saco, Scar- 
borough, and Kittery, killed between twenty and thirty of the 
inhabitants, and consigned their houses, barns and mills to the 
flames. 

Elated with these successes, they next advanced towards Piscata- 
qua, committing similar outrages at Oyster river, Salmon Falls, 
Dover and Exeter. Before winter, sixty of the English, in that 
quarter, were killed, and nearly as many buildings consumed. 

The Eastern Indians, however, had real cause of complaint. 
One cause was the cruel treatment practised upon the family of 
Squando, sachem of the Saco Indians, by a party of English 
seamen, who, having heard that Indian children could swim by 
instinct, overset their canoe, in which were Squando's squaw 
and infant child, for the purpose of testing the truth of the re- 
port. This act, wanton as well as childish, the savage justly 
resented ; and the more so, as the infant some time after died, 
owing, as the chief imagined, to an injury which, at that time, 
it received. Added to this, several Indians having been enticed 
on board a vessel, had been iniquitously sold for slaves. To re- 
dress these and similar wrongs, the Indians commenced hos- 
tilities. 

Notwithstanding the Narragansets had pledged thertiselves, by 
their treaty, not to engage in the war against the English, it was 
discovered that they were taking part with the enemy. It was 
deemed necessary, therefore, for the safety of the colonies, early 
to check that powerful tribe. 

Accordingly, Gov. Winslow, of Plymouth, with about one 
thousand eight hundred troops from Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut, and one hundred and sixty friendly Indians, com- 
menced their march from Pettysquamscot, on the 19th of 
December, 1G75, through a deep snow, towards the enemy, who 
were in a swamp about fifteen miles distant. 

The army arrived at the swamp at one in the afternoon. Some 
Indians at the edge of the swamp were fired upon, but fled. 
The whole army nov/ entered and pursued the Indians to their 
fortress. 

This stood on a rising ground, in the middle of the swamp. 



68 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

It was a work of great strength and labor, being composed of pali- 
sades, and surrounded by a hedge about sixteen feet in thickness. 

One entrance, only, led to the fort, through the surrounding 
thicket. Upon this the English providentially fell, and, without 
waiting to form, rushed impetuously towards the fort. The 
English captains entered first. The resistance of the Indians 
was gallant and warlike. Captains Johnson and Davenport, 
W'ith many of their men, fell at the entrance. At length, the 
English fell back, and were obliged to retreat out of the fort. 

At this crisis, the army being on the point of a fatal repulse, 
some Connecticut men, on the opposite side of the fort, discov- 
ered a place destitute of palisades : they instantly sprang into 
the fort, fell upon the rear of the Indians, and, aided by the rest 
of the army, after a desperate conflict, achieved a complete 
victory. Six hundred wigwams were now set on fire, and an 
appalling scene ensued. Deep volumes of smoke rolled up to 
heaven, mingled with the dying shrieks of mothers and infants, 
which, with the aged and infirm, were consumed in the flames. 

Even at this distant period, we cannot recall this scene without 
horror, and can justify the severity of our ancestors only by ad- 
mitting its necessity for self-preservation. 

The Indians in the fort w' ere estimated at four thousand : of 
these, seven hundred warriors were killed, and three hundred 
died of their wounds ; three hundred were taken prisoners, and 
as many women and children ; the rest, except such as were 
consumed, fled. 

The victory of the English, complete as it was, was purchased 
with blood. Six brave captains fell ; eighty of the troops were 
killed or mortally wounded ; and one hundred and fifty were 
wounded who recovered. 

From this defeat the Indians never recovered. They were 
not yet, however, effectually subdued. During the winter, they 
continued their savage work of murdering and burning. The 
towns of Lancaster, Medfield, Weymouth, Groton, Springfield, 
Northampton, Sudbury, and Marlborough, in Massachusetts, and 
of Warwick and Providence in Rhode Island, were assaulted, 
and some of them partly, and others wholly, destroyed. In 
March, Captain Pierce, with fifty English, and twenty friendly 
Indians, were attacked, the former of whom w^ere all slain, and 
nearly all of the latter. In April, Capt. Wadsworth, while 
marching with fifty men to the relief of Sudbury, was surround- 
ed, and the Avhole were either killed on the spot, or reserved for 
iong and distressing tortures. 

The success of the Indians, during the winter, had been 
great; but on the return of spring, the tide turned against them. 
The Narraganset country was scoured, and many of the 
natives were killed, among whom was Canonchet, their chief 
sachem. 



SETTLEMENTS. 69 

On the 12th of August, 1676, the finishing stroke was given to 
the war in the United Colonies, by the death of Philip. After 
his flight from Mount Hope, he had attempted to rouse the 
Mohawks against the English. To effect this purpose, he killed, 
at various times, several of^ that tribe, and charged it upon the 
English. But, his iniquity being discovered, he Vv^as obliged / 
hastily to flee, and returned to Mount Hope. 

Tidings of his return being brought to Captain Church, a 
man who had been of eminent service in this war, and who was 
better able than any other person to provide against the wiles of 
the enemy, he immediately proceeded to the place of Philip's 
concealment, near Mount Hope, accompanied by a small body of 
men. On his arrival, which was in the night, he placed his men 
in ambushes round the swamp, charging them not to move till 
daylight, that they might distinguish Philip, should he attempt 
to escape. Such was his confidence of .success, that, taking 
Major Sandford by the hand, he said, " It is scarcely possible 
that Philip should escape." At that instant, a bullet whistled 
over their heads, and a volley followed. 

The firing proceeded from Philip and his men, who were 
now in view. Perceiving his peril, the savage chief, hoping to 
effect his escape, hastily seized his powder-horn and gun, and 
fled ; but, directing his course towards a spot where an English- 
man and an Indian lay concealed, the former levelled his gun ; 
but, missing fire, the Indian drew, and shot him through the 
heart. 

Capt Church ordered him to be beheaded and quartered. 
The Indian who executed this order, pronounced the warrior's 
epitaph : '' You have been one very great man. You have made 
many a man afraid of you. But so big as you be, I will now 
chop you to pieces." 

Thus fell a savage hero and patriot — of whose transcendent 
abilities our history furnishes melancholy evidence. The advan- 
tage of civilized education, and a wider theatre of action, might 
have made the name of Philip of Mount Hope as memorable as 
that of Alexander or Csesar. 

After the death of Philip, the war continued in the Province 
of Maine, till the spring of 1678. But westward, the Indians, 
having lost their chiefs, wigwams, and provisions, and perceiv- 
ing further contest vain, came in singly, by tens, and by hun- 
dreds, and submitted to the English. 

Thus closed a melancholy period in the annals of New Eng- 
land history ; during which, six hundred men, the flower of her 
strength, had fallen ; twelve or thirteen towns had been destroy- 
ed, and six hundred dwelling-houses consumed. Every eleventh 
family was houseless, and every eleventh soldier had sunk to his 
grave. So costly was the inheritance which our fathers have 
transmitted to us ! 



70 PERIOD n. — 1607 to 1689, 

44. The grant of the territory of New York, by 
Charles II., to his brother the Duke of York, in 1664, 
i»as already been noticed, [Si'c. 37,) as also its capture 
iVom the Dutch, the same year.- In 1673, a war com- 

aencing between England and Holland, the latter sent 

I small fleet to New York, to which the town immediate- 
ly surrendered. 

The following year, 1674, the war terminated in a 
treaty between England and Holland. By this treaty 
Mew York was restored to the English. To prevent 
-ontroversy about his title to the territory, the Duke 

.f York took out a new patent, and appointed Sir 
'Mmund Andros governor, who entered upon the duties. 
..i"his appointment in October of the same year« 

The administration of Andros, however^ was arbitra- 
ry and severe. He admitted the people to no share in 

':;gislation, but ruled them by Jaws to which they had 
.:.ever given their assent. 

Connecticut also experienced the weight of his oppression and 
i.'espotism. That part of her territory west of Coiuiecticut river, 

■ Ithough long before granted to the colony of Connecticut, v/as 
i .:cluded in the grant to the Duke of York. By virtue of this 

./ant, Andros now claimed jurisdiction over the territory, and 
.1 July, 1G75, made an attempt with aa armed force to take pos- 
cission of Saybrook Fort. 

The governor and council of Connecticut, having notice of hi» 
"'.tsign, despatched Capt. Bull to defend the fort. On the arrival 

■ 1 Andros at the mouth of the river, after making a show of 
: rce. lie invited Capt. Bull to a conference. This was granted ; 

.it no sooner had he landed, than he attempted to read his com- 
mission and the duke's patent. This Capt. Bull finnly and 

•orfitively forbid; and Sir Ed}nund, findin.g the colony determin- 
-' 1, at all events, not to submit to his government, relinquished 
. is design, and sailed for Long Island. 

45. The year 1676, so distinguished, in the annals of 
■■'•rew- Engl and, for the termination of Philip's war, was 
• jt much less distinguished, in respect to Virginia, by 

1 insurrection known by the name of "Bacon's rebel- 
on," the evil effects of which lasted more than thirty 
.!ars. The principal causes of this rebellion are said 
> have been the oppressive restrictions imposed upon 



SETTLEMENTS. 



"I 



iheir commerce — the granting of large tracts of land I. v 
Gov. Berkley to his favorites, which belonged to ti: ' 
colony — and the imposition of extravagant taxes. 

The dissolution of the charter of Virginia by James I., in 1C24. 
■and the subi?equeut appointment of Sir William Berkley, v< 
governor, by Charles!., with the privilege to the people of elec- 
ing their own representatives, have been noticed St-c. 24. Ft = 
1his privilege, they were so grateful, that the Virginians contini;- 
ed faithful to the royal cause, even after Cromwell had usurpei 
llie government. This loptilty brought upon them the vengeanc 
■<if parliament in 1G52, at wiiich time a fleet was despatched 1" 
reduce them to submission- At this time, Gov. Berkley was 
obliged to retire. 

About the time of Cromwell's death, but before that ever! 
took place, the Virginians proclaimed Charles 11. , and invi - 
•ed Berkley to resuii&e his authority. On the accession ci' 
Charles, he confirmed Berkley in his office. But from this timt . 
the conduct of the governor was odious and oppressive. Agent^ 
were sent to England, to lay their grievances at the foot of the 
throne ; but agents were unsuccessful, and, at length, the dis- 
xiontent of the people ripened into a formidable insurrection. 

The head of the insurgents was Nathaniel Bacon, an Englisli- 
snan, who, soon after his arrival, had been appointed a memb< ; 
of the council. He was a young man of commanding persoii, 
•and distinguished for ambition, energy and enterprise. 

The cfflony, at this time, being engaged in war with the Su' - 
■quehannah Indians, BacoK despatched a messenger to Go'. . 
Berkley, requesting a commission to proceed against theni 
This commission the governor refused, and, at the same tim< . 
•ordered Bacon to dismiss his men, and, on penalty of bein ; 
declared a rebel, to appear before himself and the council. E:; 
^isperated by such treatment, Bacon, without disbanding his forc( . 
proceeded, in a sloop, with forty of them, to Jamestown. Here ;; 
sharp contention ensued, vipon which Berkley illegally suspend - 
■ed him from the council. Bacon departed in a rage, with hi •; 
sloop and men ; btit, throvgh the agency of the governor, he wat- 
not long after seized and brought to Jamestown. 

Finding that he had dismissed Bacon from the council illegal- 
ly, he again admitted h'hn, and treated him \^jith a show of kinr - 
ness. , Upon this. Bacon renewed his request for a commissior, ; 
but, receiving a denial, he privately left Jamestown, and, colled 
ingsi.x hundred voluKAeers, returned to demand of the assembly, 
then in session, the required commission. Being overawed, tlit- 
ussembly advised the governor to grant it. But, soon after Baern 
had departed, the g<"»vernor, by the same advice, issued a procla- 
ination, denouncing him as a rebel. 

Hearing what the governor had done. Bacon, instead ol 



72 PERIOD II.— 1 GOT TO 1689. 

matching against the Indians, returned to Jamestown, wreaking 
his vengeance upon all who opposed him. Finding it in vain to 
withstarvd him, the governor fled across the bay, and the council 
dispersed, leaving Bacon in possession of supreme power. 

At length, the governor, with a small force, under command 
of Major Robert Beverly, crossed the bay to oppose the malecon- 
tents. Civil war had now commenced. Jamestown was burnt 
by Bacon's followers ; various parts of the colony were pillaged, 
and the wives of those that adhered to the governor's party were 
carried to the camp of the insurgents. 

In the midst of these commotions, it pleased the Supreme 
Ruler to withdraw Bacon by a natural death. The malecontents, 
thus left to recover their reason, now began to disperse. Two of 
Bacon's generals surrendered, and were pardoned, and the peo- 
ple quietly returned to their homes. 

Upon this, Berkley resumed the government, and peace was 
restored. This rebellion formed an era of some note in the 
history of Virginia, and its unhappy effects were felt for thirty 
years. During its continuance, husbandry was almost entirely 
neglected, and such havock was made among all kinds of cattle, 
that the people were threatened with famine. Sir William 
Berkley, after having been forty years governor of Virginia, re- 
turned to England, where he soon after died. 

Three years after, 1679, Lord Culpepper was sent over as gov- 
ernor, with certain laws prepared in conformity to the wishes of 
the ministry of England, and designed to be enacted by the 
assembly in Virginia. One of those laws provided for raisins a 
levenue, for the support of government. It made the duties 
perpetual, and placed them under the direction of his majesty. 
Out of the duties, Culpepper dishonestly took, as his salary, two 
thousand pounds, and one hundred and sixty pounds, in addition, 
for house-rent. 

On presenting these laws to the assembly, Culpepper informed 
them that, in case they were passed, he had instructions to offer 
pardon to all who had been concerned in Bacon's rebellion ; but, 
if not, he had commissions to try and hang them as rebels, and 
a regiment of soldiers on the spot to support him. Thus threat- 
ened, the assembly passed the laws. 

From this period to the occurrenct of the French war, no 
events are to be found, in the history of Virginia, of sufficient 
impOTtance to be ^noticed in the present pages. 

46. In the year 1676, the province of New Jersey 
was divided into East and West Jeisey, and continued 
thus divided until 1702, when tlie proprietors surrender 
ed the government to the crown, under Queen Anne, 
upon which, the two provinces were united into one, and 



SETTLEMENTS. 73 

Lord Cornbiiry was appointed governor over this and the 
province of New York. This arrangement of a single 
governor for the tvi^o provinces continued till the year 
173S, (although each chose a separate assembly ;) but at 
this time, the people of New Jersey having petitioned 
for an alteration, his majesty appointed Lewis Morris to 
the chief magistracy of the latter province. 

An account of the settlement of New Jersey, and the grant 
of it by the Duke of York to Lord Berkley and Sir George 
Carteret, in 16G4, will be found at Sec. 38. In 1665, Carteret 
assumed the government, by agreement with Berkley.' (Sec. 39.) 
In 1674, Lord Berkley made a conveyance of his half to John 
Fen wick, in trust for Edward Billinge and his assigns. Bil- 
linge, being in debt, presented his interest in the province to his 
creditors, William Jones and others, being appointed trustees to 
dispose of the lands. 

In the division of 1676, Carteret took East Jersey, the govern- 
ment of which he retained ; and the trustees of Billinge, West 
Jersey. The Duke of York, though he had conveyed away his 
powers of government, when he sold the province to Berkley and 
Carteret, in 1664, unjustly claimed West Jersey, as a dependency 
of New York. These claims of the duke, Sir Edmund Andros, 
his governor in America, attempted to assert, and actually ex- 
tended his jurisdiction over the province. But, at length, through 
tlie discontent and remonstrances of the citizens, the subject was 
referred to commissioners, who decided against the Duke of 
York ; upon which, in 1680, he relinquished his claims to the 
proprietors. 

In 1682, Carteret, disgusted with the people, sold his right to 
East Jersey to William Penn and others, who immediately sold 
one half of" it to the Earl of Perth and his associates. Robert 
Barclay, the celebrated author of '.' the Apology for the Quakers," 
was the next year made governor of East Jersey. 

In 1686, both the Jerseys and New York were annexed to 
New England, in which connection they continued till the acces- 
sion of William and Mary to the throne of England, in 1689. 
" A government under the proprietors of both the Jerseys had 
become extremely disagreeable to the inhabitants, who, from 
various causes, became so uneasy, that the proprietors surrender- 
ed the government of East and West Jersey to the crown in 
1702, which Queen Anne very readily accepted." 

•' The two provinces were now united into one, and Lord 
Cornbury was appointed governor over the united colony, and 
received his commission and instructions from the queen. 

" Tlie freemen chose the liouse of representatives, consisting 
7 



74 PERIOD II. — 1607 TO 1689. 

of twenty-four members, but the governor and council, consisting 
of twelve members, were appointed by the crown. 

47. In 1677, a controversy which had subsisted for 
some time between the colony of Massachusetts and the 
heirs of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, relative to the province 
of Maine, was settled in England, and the colony 
adjudged to Gorges' heirs. Upon this, Massachusetts 
purchased the title for one thousand two hundred pounds 
sterling, and the territory, from that time till 1820, was 
a part of Massachusetts. 

Both the colony of Massachusetts and the heirs of Gorges 
claimed the province of Maine ; the former by virtue of her 
patent of 1628, {Sec. 21.) which was construed as including that 
territory ; the claim of the latter was founded upon a charter 
granted to Gorges in 1639. {Sec. 34.) 

48. Two years after this adjustment, viz. in 1679, a 
commission was made out, by order of Charles II., for 
the separation of New Hampshire from the jurisdiction 
of Massachusetts, and its erection into a royal province. 
The form of government sent over by the king, ordained a 
president and council to govern the province, with an 
assembly, &lc. , the assembly to be chosen by the peo- 
ple ; the president and council to be appointed by the 
crown. 

In 1629, the Plymouth company granted to John Mason the 
territory called New Hampshire. About the year 1640, the 
settlements now being considerable, the patent holders agreed to 
assign their right of jurisdiction to Massachusetts. The colony 
of New Hampshire, therefore, remained under the government 
of Massachusetts, until it was separated by the king's commis- 
sion, in 1679. 

The first legislative assembly, under the above commission, 
was convened March 16, 1680. when the colony of New Hamp- 
shire was declared to be independent of Massachusetts. Tliis 
separation, however, was disagreeable to most of the people : for 
near forty years, they had enjoyed under Massachusetts the privi- 
lege of choosing their own rulers, and had derived great peace 
and harmony from an impartial government. Nor did this prov- 
ince long enjoy tranquillity. Mason, grandson of the Mason to 
whom New Hampshire had been originally granted, came over 
the next year, and demanded, by virtue of his claims to the soil, 
a seat in the council. This being granted, he soon after return- 



SETTLEMENTS. 75 

.*d to England, and surrendered a part of his claims to the king, 
And mortgaged the remainder to Edward Cranfield, who was 
appointed lieutenant-governor, and shortly after repaired to New 
Hampshire. 

It is necessary to add, that the Rev. Mr. Wheelright and oth- 
ers, in 1629, the same year that the grant was made to Mason by 
the Plymouth company, bought of the Indians a large tract of 
land in New Hampshire. The same land was, therefore, claimed 
under both these grants, and the foundation thus laid of serious 
disputes in the colony. 

Cranfield, finding it for his interest to favor the claim of 
Mason to the province, soon called upon the inhabitants to take 
their leases under him. Suits were instituted against all the 
landholders who neglected this call, and the jurors, being selected 
by Cranfield, and interested in the result, uniformly gave judg- 
ment against them. 

Under these oppressions, the people despatched an agent, with 
complaints to his majesty, cigainst the governor. After a hearing 
by the lords of trade, the iniquitous conduct of Cranfield was 
represented to the king, who recalled him. 

It may be proper to add, that the above controversy about the 
claims of Mason continued long to disturb the peace of the 
province, and was not finally terminated until the death of 
Samuel Allen, in 1715, to whom the heirs of Mason had sold 
their claim for seven hundred and fifty pounds : upon his demise, 
no one appeared to renew the claims, and the question dropped. 

49. In 1681, King Charles II. granted to Vv^illiam 
Penn, son of Admiral Penn, in consideration of debts 
due the latter, for services done to the crown, the territo- 
ry of Pennsylvania, so named by the king after Penn 
himself. 

This patent encroached on the territory of Lord Baltimore in 
Maryland, one whole degree, or sixty-nine miles and a half; and 
on the north, nearly three hundred miles, across the whole terri- 
tory conveyed to Connecticut, in 1C31,* and confirmed by the 
royal charter of 1CC2. Hence arose contentions between the 
colonies of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, about boundaries, 
that were not settled till a century after. Within a short time 
from the date of the grant by King Charles to Penn, two other 
conveyances were made to him by the Duke of York. One 
was a bill of sale of New-Castle, and a territory of tvrelve miles 
around it. The other was a bill granting a tract south of the 
former, as far as Cape Henlopen. These two deeds embraced 

*See Sec. 36, whore the boundaries of the territory granted to Cor.necti- 
cut are given. 



76 PERIOD II. — 1607 TO 1689. 

the whole state of Delaware, known at that time by the name of 
the '• Territories." 

Having thus obtained possession of a valuable territory, and 
desirous of founding a colony upon it, Penn offered the lands for 
sale, at the rate of one thousand acres for twenty pounds, or at 
an annual rent of one penny per acre. Many persons, chiefly 
Quakers, were induced to purchase ; and in the fall of the same 
year, three ships, with settlers, sailed for Pennsylvania. At the 
same time, Penn addressed a letter to the Indians, residing on 
the territory, assuring them of his pacific disposition, and his 
determination, should difficulties arise between them and the 
emigrants, to have them settled on principles of equity. 

The next year, Penn published a form of government, by which 
the supreme power was lodged in a general assembly, to consist 
of a governor, council, and house of delegates ; the council and 
house to be chosen by the freemen ; the proprietor and govern- 
or to preside, and to have a treble voice in the council, which 
was to consist of seventy-two members. 

It was also agreed, that every person of good moral character, 
professing his faith in Christ, should be a freeman, and capable 
of holding any office ; and that none who believed in one God 
should be molested in his religion, or be compelled to attend or 
maintain religious worship. 

In October, Penn, with two thousand planters, mostly Quakers, 
arrived at New-Castle, which was a part of the '• Territories." 
Upon this tract he found already settled about three thousand 
Dutch, Swedes and Finns. He proceeded to Chester, where, in 
December, he convoked an assembly ; but, so few delegates 
appearing, he ordered that, instead of seventy-two, three mem- 
bers only should constitute the council, and nine the house of as- 
sembl3\ This assembly annexed the Territories to the province. 

Penn now entered into a treaty with the Indians, of whom he 
purchased large tracts of territory ; at the same time, he com- 
menced the city of Philadelphia, which, in one year, increased 
to a hundred houses and cottages. 

Pennsylvania had a more rapid and prosperous settlement than 
any of the other colonies. This was doubtless owing, in part, to 
its healthful climate and fruitful soil ; partly to the fact, that the 
great obstacles of settlement had been overcome by the other 
colonies; and partly to the religious tolerance, mildness, and 
equity, which characterized its laws and their administration. 

In 1683, Penn convened a second assembly, which was held in 
Philadelphia ; and, at the request of the freemen and delegates, 
granted them a second charter, by which eighteen persons were 
to form the council, and thirty-six the assembly. At this time it 
was ordained, '•' that, to prevent law-suits, three arbitrators, to be 
called, p^ace-makers, should be chosen by the county courts, to 
hear and detertnine small differences betv*'een man and man — 



SETTLEMENTS. il 

that children should be taught some useful trade — that factors 
wronging their employers should make satisfaction, and one 
third over — that all causes of rudeness, cruelty and irreligion 
should be repressed — and that no man should be molested for his 
religious opinions." To these wholesome regulations Penn- 
sylvania was indebted for her great prosperity and rapid settle- 
ment. 

In 1684, Penn returned to England, leaving the administration 
of the government in the care of five commissioners. Soon after, 
James II. abdicated the throne. For this monarch Penn felt 
a sincere regard, and continued, even after his expulsion from the 
throne, to administer the colonial government in his name. This 
exciting the displeasure of William, successor of James, his 
friends caused Penn to be imprisoned several times ; and the 
government of the colony was taken from him, and given to 
Col. Fletcher, governor of New York. But, gome time after, the 
charges of disloyalty to William having been proved to be 
unfounded, he was permitted to resume the exercise of his 
rights ; wht'reupon, he appointed William Markman to be his 
deputy-govecnor. 

In 16U9, Fenn made a second visit to Pennsylvania. Finding 
discontents had crept in, in relation to the government, he 
humanely pr«ipared a new charter, on still more liberal principles. 
This was olfe.ed Oct. 28, 1701, and accepted on the same day, by 
the people ol Pennsylvania; but the -'Territories," now Dela- 
ware, declinif g, they were allowed a distinct assembly, under the 
same govern* r. The assembly was first convened in 1703, 
{Sec. 40.) 

Having thuM settled affairs, Penn again returned to England, 
leaving the executive authority to be exercised by a deputy-gov- 
ernor. Discoirtentment, however, again appeared ; and, at times, 
the deputy-govtjrnors became quite obnoxious to the people. Still 
the colony pror,pered : they lived in great harmony with the In- 
dians, and incr* ased in numbers and wealth. 

At length, atvout the commencement of the revolutionary war, 
the people formed a new constitution, by which the proprietor was 
excluded from ill participation in the government ; and, by way 
of discharging all quit-rents due from the inhabitants, he was 
allowed 370,00t> dollars. 

50. In th»'. year 1684, June 18, an event highly 
interesting to the colony of Massachusetts occurred in 
England. Tnis was a decision, in the high court of 
chancery, thai she had forfeited her charter, and that 
henceforth her government should be placed in the 
hands of the kmg. 
7* 



78 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 16S9. 

» The person chiefly instrumental in bringing about this event, 
was Edmund Randolph, a man who had long been the enemy of 
the colonies, and who, for several years, had filled the ears of the 
king with complaints against them, for violating the acts of 
trade. 

To answer to these complaints, Massachusetts repeatedly in 
curred the expense of sending agents to England', and of maintain- 
ing them there ; but his majesty would accept of no conditions 
short of a surrender of her charter. As she would not make this 
surrender voluntarily, it was violently wrested from her. 

Before King Charles had time to adjust the affairs of 
the colony, he died, and was succeeded by James II. 
Soon after his accession, similar proceedings took place 
against the other colonies. Rhode Island submitted, 
and relinquished her charter. Plymouth sent a copy of 
her charter to the king, with an humble petition, that he 
would restore it. Connecticut voted an address to his 
majesty, in which she prayed him to recall the writ that 
had been filed against her, and requested the continu- 
ance of her charter. 

The petitions and remonstrances of the colonies were, 
however, of no avail. Both the heart and hand of the 
king were manifestly against them. After all their 
hardships and dangers in settling a wilderness, they had 
no other prospect before them than the destruction of 
their dearest rights, and no better security of life, 
liberty, and property, than the capricious will of a 
tyrant. 

In pursuance of this cruel policy towards the colo- 
nies, two years after the charter of Massachusetts ^as 
vacated. King James commissioned and sent out Sir 
Edmund Andros as governor of all New England, 
Plymouth excepted. 

On his arrival at Boston, Dec. 20, 16SG, he entered 
upon his administration ; which, at the commencement, 
was comparatively auspicious. In a few months, how- 
ever, the fair prospect was changed. Among other 
arbitrary acts, restraints were laid upon the freedom of 
the press and marriage contracts. The liberty to wor- 
ship after the Congregational mode was threatened, and 



SETTLEMENTS. 79 

the fees of ail officers of government were exorbitantly 
and oppressively enhanced. 

In October, Sir Edmund and suite, with a guard of about sixty 
regular troops, went to Hartford, where the assembly of Con- 
necticut was in session. He entered the house of the assembly, 
demanded the charter of Connecticut, and declared the colonial 
government to be dissolved. 

Extremely reluctant to surrender the charter, the assembly 
intentionally protracted its debates till evening, when the charter 
was brought in, and laid on the table. — Upon a preconcerted signal, 
the lights were at once extinguished, and a Capt. Wadsworth, 
seizing the charter, hastened away under cover of night, and 
secreted it in the hollow of an oak. The candles, which had 
been extinguished, were soon relighted without disorder ; but the 
charter had disappeared. Sir Edmund, however, assumed the 
government, and the records of the colony were closed. 

The condition of the New England colonies was now 
distressing, and, as the administration of Andros was 
becoming still more severe and oppressive, the future 
seemed not to promise alleviation. But Providence was 
invisibly preparing the way for their relief On the 5th 
of Nov. 1688, William, Prince of Orange, who married 
Mary, daughter of James II., landed at Torbay in Eng- 
land, and, compelling James II. to leave the kingdom, 
assumed the crown, being proclaimed Feb. 16th, 1689, 
to the general joy of the nation. 



NOTES. 

51. Manners of the Colonists. In the colonies 
of North America, at the close of this period, three 
varieties of character might be distinguished. In Neiv 
England, the strict Puritanical notions of the people 
wrought a correspondent austerity upon the manners of 
society. Placing implicit faith in the Scriptures, they 
moulded their government, and shaped private character 
and morals, upon a severe and literal construction of 
them. They v/ere devout, patriotic, industrious, and 
public-spirited ; and though of a grave, reflecting ex- 
terior, they often showed that shrewd inquisitiveness. 



801 PERIOD II. — 1607 TO 16S9. 

and keen relish of a jest, which are still characteristic 
of the New Englanders. 

The Jaws of the colonies throw some light on the views and 
manners of the people. As examples, in 1030, the drinking of 
healths was prohibited by law in Massachusetts. In IGol, the 
legislature of that colony prohibited all persons, whose •' estate did 
not exceed two hundred pounds, from wearing any gold or silver 
lace, or any bone lace above two shillings per yard." The law 
authorized the selectmen to take notice of the costliness and fashion 
of the '' apparel of the people, especially in the wearing of ribands 
and great boots." The New Haven colony, in 1639, resolved that 
they would be governed by the rules of Scripture ; and that church 
members only should act in the civil affairs of the plantation. 

In 1647, the colony of Connecticut expressed their disapproba- 
tion of the use of tobacco, by an act of assembly, in which it was 
ordered, '• that no person, under the age of twenty years, nor any 
other that hath already accustomed himself to the use thereof, 
shall take any tobacco, until he shall have brought a certificate, 
from under the hand of some, who are approved for knowledge 
and skill in phj'sic, that it is useful for him ; and also, that he hath 
received a license from the court for the same. All others, who 
had addicted themselves to the use of tobacco, were, by the same 
court, prohibited taking it in any company, or at their labors, or 
on their travels, unless they were ten miles at least from any 
house, or more than once a day, though not in company, on pain 
of a fine of sixpence for each time ; to be proved by one substan- 
tial witness. The constable in each town to make presentment of 
such transgressions to the particular court, and upon conviction, 
the fine to be paid without gainsaying." 

In the Colomj of JVeio York, during this period, the manners of 
the colonists were strictly Dutch — with no other modifications 
than the privations of a new country, and the few English among 
them, necessarily eflfected. The same steadfast pursuit of 
wealth ; the same plodding industry ; the same dress, air, and 
physiognomy, which are given as characteristic of Holland, were" 
equally characteristic of the inhabitants of New Amsterdam. 

In Virginia, the manners of the colonists were those 
of the less rigid English, rendered still more free and 
voluptuous by the influence of a softer climate and a 
more prolific soil. 

Stith says of the first settlers of this colony, that some emigrat- 
ed '* to escape a worse fate at home : " others, it is said, sought to 
repair fortunes by emigration, which had been ruined by excess. 
Many persons, however, of high character, were among the emi- 
grants; and amidst tlie licentiousness of the Virginia colony 



SETTLEMENTS. 81 

were found, at the close of this period, the seeds of that frank- 
ness, hospitality, taste, and refinement, which distinguish the peo 
pie of the south at this day. 

Other national peculiarities might be noticed, as those of the 
Finns in Delaware, those of the Quakers in Pennsylvania, &c.; 
but, at this period, they were too limited to require a distinct 
notice in our work. 

52. Religion. The colony of Virginia, from its 
earliest existence, was exclusively devoted to the Church 
of England. 

For several years, its unsettled state prevented that attention to 
a religious establishment, which afterwards the subject received. 
At the expiration of thirteen years from the founding of the colony, 
there were but eleven parishes, and five ministers : the inhabit- 
ants of the colony did not, at this time, however, much exceed 
two thousand persons. 

In 1G21, the colony received a large accession to its numbers, 
and the governor and council were instructed " to take into spe- 
cial regard the service of Almighty God, and the observance of 
his divine laws ; and that the people should be trained up in true 
religion and virtue." At the same time, the Virginia Company 
ordered a hundred acres of land, in each of the buroughs, to be 
laid off for a glebe, and two hundred pounds sterling to be raised, 
as a standing and certain revenue, out of the profits of each 
parish, to make a living : this stipend was thus settled — that the 
minister shall receive yearly five hundred pounds of tobacco, and 
sixteen barrels of corn; which were collectively estimated at two 
hundred pounds sterling. In 1642, the assembly passed a law 
prohibiting all, but those who had been ordained by English 
bishops, from preaching. 

In 1G50, during the time of Governor Berkley, the parishes of 
the colony were further regulated, the religion of the church of 
England was confirmed and established, and provision made for 
the support of the ministers. The maintenance of a minister 
was put at sixteen thousand pounds of tobacco, which, as valued 
at that time, at ten shillings per hundred, was about eighty 
pounds sterling. But, in addition to this, he had a dwelling-house 
and glebe ; also, four hundred pounds of tobacco, or forty shil- 
lings, for a funeral sermon, and two hundred pounds of tobacco, 
or twenty shillings, for performing marriage by license, or five 
shillings when the banns were proclaimed. The tobacco destined 
for the minister was brought to him well packed in hogsheads, 
prepared for shipping. To raise this crop, twelve negroes were 
necessary. 

The special object of the New England planters, in settling the 
country, was the enjoyment of their religious opinions, and the 



82 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 16S9. 

tree oxorcise of religious worship, without molestation. Early 
alt,ention was, therefore, paid to the gathering of churches, and 
the regulation of religion. They, were Calvinists in doctrine, 
and Congregational in discipline. 

Each church maintained its right to govern itself. They held 
to the validity of Presbyterian ordination, and the expediency of 
synods on great occasions. From the commencement, they used 
ecclesiastical councils, convoked by particular churches, for 
advice, but not for the judicial determination of controversies. 

In each of the churches, there was a pastor, teacher, ruling 
elder, and deacons. The pastor's office consisted principally in 
exhortation : upon the teacher devolved the business of explain- 
ing and defendmg the doctrines of Christianity. The business of 
the ruling elder was to assist the pastor in the government of the 
church. 

Early provision was made for the support of the ministry. On 
the arrival of the colonists of Massachusetts Bay, at Charlestown, 
before landing, a court of assistants was held ; and the first question 
proposed was, How shall the ministers be maintained ? The 
court ordered that houses be built, and salaries be raised for them, 
at the public charge. Their two ministers, Mr. Phillips and Mr. 
Wilson, were granted a salary — the former thirty pounds per 
annum, and the latter twenty pounds, ^jntil the arrival of his wife. 

After the settlement of the several^ colonies, all persons were~ 
obliged by law to contribute to the support of the church. Spe- 
cial care was taken that all persons should attend public worship. 
[n Connecticut, the law obliged them to be present on the Lord's 
^Jay — on all days of public fasting and thanksgiving, appointed by 
civil authority — on penalty of five shillings for every instance of 
neglect. 

By the year 1G42, twenty-two years from the landing of the 
pilgrims at Plymouth, there had been settled in New England, 
seventy-seven ministers, who were driven from the parent coun- 
try ; fifty towns and villages had been planted, and thirty or forty 
churches gathered. 

In 1G37, the first synod convened in America, sat at Nev/town, 
Massachusetts, and was composed of all the teaching elders in the 
country, and messengers of the several churches. Magistr;ites 
also were present, and spoke as they thought fit. The object of 
calling this synod was to inquire into the opinions of one Ann 
Hutchinson, a very extraordinary woman, who held public lec- 
tures in Boston, and taught doctrines considered heretical. The 
whole colony was agitated and divided into parties. The synod, 
after a session of three weeks, condemned eighty-two erroneous 
opinions, which had become disseminated in New England. 

The Dutch Reformed Church was introduced into 
New York with the first settlers, and was generally 
embraced by the Dutch population of that colony. 



SETTLEMENTS. 83 

The Roman Catholics first came to America in 1632: 
they settled in Maryland, and now constitute a respecta- 
ble and numerous portion of the inhabitants oi" that 
state. 

The first Baptist church in America was formed at 
Providence, in 1639, under the celebrated Roger Wil- 
liams. Their sentiments spreading into Massachusetts, 
in 1651, the general court passed a law against them, 
inflicting banishment for persisting in the promulgation 
of their doctrines. 

In 1656, the Quakers making their appearance in 
Massachusetts, the legislature of that colony passed 
severe laws against them. 

No master of a vessel was allowed to bring any one of this sect 
into its jurisdiction, on penalty of one hundred pounds. Other 
still severer penalties were inflicted upon them in 1G57, such as 
cutting their ears, and boring their tongues with a hot iron, &c. 
They were at length banished on pain of death, and, for refusing 
to go. were executed in 1659. 

Without intending to justify these severities toward tlie Bap- 
tists, Quakers, and other sectaries, it is still proper to state, as 
some apology for them, that the conduct of the leaders of these 
sects was often calculated, and no doubt designed, to provoke 
persecution. They sought improper occasions to inculcate their 
peculiar tenets, departed unnecessarily from the decencies of 
social intercourse, and rudely inveighed against established and 
cherished opinions. In this wa}'-, the peace of the colonies was 
disturbed, and that unanimity of religious sentiment, which had 
hitherto existed, was broken. Our forefathers sought to avert 
these evils by the arm of civil power ; not yet having learnt that 
persecution is a ready way to propagate the sentiments of the 
persecuted. 

In the year 164C, a synod met at Cambridge, which, by 
adjounxnent, protracted its session to 1G48, w^hen it dissolved 
This synod composed and adopted the " Cambridge Platform,' 
and recommended it, together with the Westminster Confession 
of Faith, to the general court and to the churches. In this synoa 
v/ere present the ministers and churches of Connecticut and 
ISew Haven, who united in the form of discipline which it rec- 
ommended. Tliis, in connection with the ecclesiastical laws, was 
the religious constitution of CoHuecticut, until the compilation of 
the Saj'bi-ook Platform, a period of about sixty years. 

53. TiiADE AND Commerce. The colonies, during 
this period, had little other trade than with England, 



84 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

though the West India trade had begun, and there was 
some commerce with Canada, and a few ports on the 
European continent. The colonies imported from Eng- 
land all their merchandise ; and exported thither to- 
bacco, peltry, and at length some beef, pork, grain, and 
fish. The importations from England, however, much 
exceeded the exports thither. 

During the first thirty years of the colony of Virginia, their 
exports were confined to tobacco. But the price of it fell, at 
length, from three shillings and sixpence per pound, to twenty 
shillings per hundred, in consequence of which, a trade was 
oponed with the frontier Indians aijd the Five Nations. The 
skins of the deer, elk, and buffalo, and the furs of the otter, hare, 
fox, muskrat, and beaver, were procured for rum, Iwitchets, 
blankets, &c. These skins and furs were exported to Eng- 
land. English grain and Indian corn were also exported to a 
considerable extent. Although the Virginians owned a few ves- 
sels, the greater part of the trade was carried on by English ves- 
sels, during this period. They brought to the colony English 
manufactures, and took tobacco, furs, skins, grain, tar, pitch, &c., 
m return. The Virginians also carried on some trade with 
Canada. 

The principal article of export from New England, during this 
period, was peltry, which was procured of the Indians, for goods 
of small value. In 1G39, a fishing trade was begun at Cape 
Anne, and in 1641, three hundred thousand codfish were sent to 
market. 

The first vessel directly from the West Indies was a Dutch 
ship of one hundred and sixty tons, which arrived at Marblehead, 
1635. The first American vessel that made a voyage to the West 
Indies was a pinnace of thirty tons, in 1636. The ship Desire, 
of Salem, made a vo}'^age,in 1638, to New Providence and Tor- 
tuga, and returned laden with cotton, tobacco, salt, and negroes. 
This was the first introduction of African slaves into New Eng- 
land. The first importation of indigo and sugar from the West 
Indies, mentioned in our accounts, was made in 1639. In 1642, 
a Dutch ship exchanged a cargo of salt for plank and pipe-staves, 
the first exports of lumber from New England. The next year, 
eleven ships sailed for the West Indies with lumber. 

In 1678, the anjQual exports of the New York colony, besides 
beef, pork, tobacco, and peltry, were about sixty thousand bush- 
els of wheat. About ten or fifteen vessels, on an average, of 
one hundred tons, English and colonial, traded to this colony 
in a year. 

54. Agriculture. Early attention was paid to agri- 
culture. The first business of the settlers was to clear 



SETTLEMENTS. 95 

the forests, and supply themselves with food from the 
soil. But the fertility of the earth taught them soon to 
look to agriculture as a source of wealth, as well as of 
subsistence. It therefore became the leading object of 
industry in the colonies. 

The method adopted by the first settlers to clear the land, was 
slow and laborious, compared with the present modes. They 
used 'generall}:^ to cut down the trees, and dig up the stumps, be- 
fore tillage. 

Tobacco was early cultivated in Virginia, and soon began to 
be exported. The year after the colony landed, the people 
gathered corn of their own planting, the seed of which they re- 
ceived of the Indians. Vineyards were attempted, and experienced 
vine-dressers were sent over for the purpose of attending them. 
Flax, hemp, barley, &-c., were cultivated to a considerable extent 
Rye was first raised in Massachusetts in 1633. Ploughs were 
early introduced into the country. 

Neat cattle were first introduced into New England by Mr. 
Winslow, in 1624. In 1629, one hundred and forty head of cat- 
tle, with horses, sheep, and goats, were imported into Massachu- 
setts Bay. In a few years, they became so numerous as to supply 
all the wants of the inhabitants. In 1623, the cattle in Virginia 
had increased to above one thousand head. 

New York raised considerable beef and pork for exportation, 
and in 1678, there were exported from the province sixty thousand 
bushels of wheat. 

55. Arts and Manufactures. The colonists, dur- 
ing this period, being chiefly occupied in gaining a sub- 
sistence, and in protecting themselves against their ene- 
mies, had occasion for few articles beyond the necessa- 
ries and comforts of life. Arts and manufactures, there- 
fore, received but little encouragement, beyond the 
construction of such articles, and even those were 
principally imported. 

• In 1620, one hundred and fifty persons arrived in Virginia, 
from England, for the purpose of manufacturing silk, iron, pot-, 
ash, tar, pitch, glass, salt, &c. ; but they did not succeed. In 
1673, Chalmers says of New England, " There be five ironworks 
which cast no guns — no house in New England has above twen- 
ty rooms — not twenty in Boston have ten rooms each — a dancing 
school was set up here, but put down — a fencing school is al- 
lowed. There be no musicians by trade. All cordage, sail-cloth 
and mats, come from England — no cloth made there worth four shil- 
lings per yard — no alum, no copperas.no salt, made by their sun " 

8 



PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 



The first buildings of the settlers were made of logs, and thatched, 
or were built of stone. Brick and framed houses were soonbuill 
in the larger towns, and afterwards in the villages. The frames 
and brick were, however, in some instances, imported. The first 
mill in New England was a wind-mill, near Watcrtown ; but it 
was taken down in 1C32, and placed in the vicinity of Boston. 
Water-mills began to be erected the next year. The first attempt 
to build water-craft, in New England, was at Plymouth, in 1C26. A 
house-carpenter sawed their largest boat into two parts, and length- 
ened it five or six feet, built a deck, and rigged it into a conve- 
nient vessel, which did service for seven years. The first vessel 
built in Massachusetts was a bark, in 1631, called The Blessing 
of the Bay. In 1633, a ship of sixty tons Avas built at Medford. 
In 1636, one of one hundred and twenty tons was built at Mar- 
blehead. In 1641, a ship of three hundred tons was launched at 
Salem, and one of one hundred and sixty tons at Boston. From 
this time, ship-building rapidly extended in the northern colonies. 

The first printing in New England was executed in 1639, by 
one Day. The proprietor of the press was a clergyman, by the 
name of Glover, who died on his passage to America. The first 
article printed was the Freeman's Oath, the second an almanac, 
and the third an edition of the Psalms. No other printing- 
press was established in America during this period. John 
Elliot, the celebrated missionary, having translated the Bible into 
the Indian language, had it printed at Cambridge, in 1664. 

The mode of travelling considerable distances was on foot, or 
on horseback, there being no carriages for that purpose, and the 
roads from one village to another being only narrow foot-paths, 
through forests. 

56. Population. We may estimate the population 
of the English American colonies, at th0 close of this 
period, at about 200,000. 

It is impossible to ascertain very exactly the population of the 
American colonies at the close of this period. The estimates 
made by writers are vague and often contradictory. The estimate 
of Dr. Humphries in 1701, which seems as well entitled to credit 
as any other, is as follows : — 

SouU. 

NewYork .'50,000 

Jerseys 15,000 

Peiinsvlvania 20,000 

Maryland 25,000 

Virsrinia 40,000 

North Carolina 5.000 

South Carolina 7;0C0 



Souls. 

Massachusetts 70,000 

Connecticut 30,000 

Rhode Island 10,000 

New Hampshire 10,000 

New England ] 20,000 

Mid. and S. Colonics 142,000 



Total 262,000 



142,000 



SETTLEMENTS. 



m 



Making a deduction from this account, so as to bring the esti- 
mate to the close of our period, we state the whole white popu- 
lation of the English American colonies, in 1689, at about two 
hundred thousand. 

57. Education. In New England, schools were 
founded, at the outset of the colonies, for the education 
of all classes : in the southern colonies, provisions for 
the education of the higher classes only were attempted 
during this period. 

Scarcely had the American colonists opened the forests, and 
constructed habitations, before they directed their attention to 
the object of education. 

Previously to 1G19, the king of England authorized the col- 
lection of moneys throughout the kingdom, to erect a college in 
Virginia, for the education of Indian children : one thousand 
five hundred pounds were collected for this purpose, and Henrico 
was selected as a suitable place for the seminary. The same 
year, the Virginia company granted ten thousand acres of land 
for the projected university. This donation, while it embraced 
the original object, was intended also for the foundation of a 
seminary of learning for English scholars. 

In addition to a college, the colonists, in 1621, instituted a 
school at Charles' City for the benefit of all the colony, which 
they called the East India School. For the maintenance of the 
master and usher, one thousand acres of land were appropriated, 
with five servants and an overseer. From this school, pupils 
were to be transferred to the college at Henrico, when the 
latter should be sufficiently endowed. These establishments 
in Virginia, however, failed of success, and, in 1692, their funds 
were given to William and Mary's college, which we shall no- 
tice hereafter. 

Still more attentive to education were the northern colonies. 
In 1630, a general court of Massachusetts Bay appropriated the 
sum of four hundred pounds tovs^ards the commencement of a 
college. In 1637, the college was located at Newtown, which, 
not long after, was called Cambridge, in memory of Cambridge, 
in England, where many of the colonists had received their edu- 
cation. Mr. John Harvard, a worthy minister, dying at Charles- 
town about this time, bequeathed nearly eight hundred pounds 
to the college, in consideration of which legacy it was called 
after him. In 1642 was held the first commencement, at which 
nine were graduated. 

To this institution the plantations of Connecticut and New 
Haven, so long as they remained unable to support a similar one 
at home, contributed funds from the public purse ; and sent to 
it such of their youth as they wished to be educated. Private 



88 PERIOD II.— 1607 TO 1689. 

subscriptions were also made from the United ColonieS; to aid 
the institution. 

. Great attention was also paid by all the colonies to the sub- 
ject of common schools. As a specimen of the arrangements 
common to the New England colonies, w^ may notice those of 
Connecticut. By her first code, in 1039, only six years from the 
time the first house was erected within the colony, it was or- 
dered that every town, consisting of fifty families, should main- 
tain a good school, in which reading and Avriting should be well 
taught ; and that in every county town a good grammar school 
should be instituted. Large tracts of land were appropriated by 
the legislature as a permanent support of these schools, and the 
selectmen of every town were required to see that all heads of 
families instructed their children and servants to read the Eng 
lish tongue well. 



REFLECTIONS. 

58. At the commencement of this period, our history present 
ed us with a continent, over whose surface an interminable wil 
derness had for ages cast its deep and solemn shade. If we 
approach the shore, and look through the gloom that gathers 
over it, the scenes which strike the eye are Indians at their war 
dance, or, perhaps, flames curling roiuid some expiring captive 
or wild beasts mangling their prey. 

Passing from this point of time to the close of our period, a 
space of eighty-two years, the prospect is greatly changed. We 
noic see smiling fields and cheerful villages, in the place of dis- 
mal forests; instead of beasts of prey, we see grazing herds; 
instead of the kindling fagot, we witness the worship of Jesus 
Christ ; and instead of the appalling war-whoop, we listen to the 
grateful songs of David. In the beautiful words of Scripture, 
the wilderness has begun to blossom as the rose, and the desert is 
becoming vocal with the praises of God. 

But how is it that a change so wonderful has been brought to 
pass .•" We have indeed seen the hardy spirit of enterprise leav- 
ing the luxuries of Europe, and plunging into the forests of 
''America. But we have also seen our forefathers struggling with 
difficulties, and often trembling on the very brink of ruin. We 
have seen them amidst Indian war, desolating famine and pesti- 
lence ; and we have wondered, after the storm has passed, to 
see them rise with renovated strength, and seem to gather 
power and advantage from circumstances calculated to over- 
whelm them. 

Admitting, then, the extraordinary energy, wisdom, enterprise, 
and hardihood, of the first settlers of America, still we are driven 
to the admission of a benign Providence working in their favor, 



SETTLEMENTS. 03^ 

and mysteriously establishing their strength and security, by ex- 
ercising them for years with danger, trial, and misfortune. 

Nor are these the only considerations which excite our admi- 
i:ation in regard to the first settlers of North America. Although, 
in the eloquent words of Mr. Walsh, " It v.^as their peculiar lot, 
at one and the same time, to clear and cultivate a wilderness ; 
to erect habitations and procure sustenance ; to struggle with a 
new and rigorous climate ; to bear up against all the bitter rec- 
ollections inseparable from distant and lonely exile ; to defend 
their liberties from the jealous tyranny and bigotry of the mother 
country ; to be perpetually assailed by a savage foe, the most subtle 
and the most formidable of any people on the face of the earth.:" 
still, they looked forward to the welfare of future generations ; 
laid broad and deep foundations for religious institutions ; made 
the most carefuJ provisions for learning ; and enacted wholesome 
laws, the benefit of which is distinctly felt to this day. 

It may be further remarked, that history shov/s the influence 
of the manners of a people upon their government, and the 
reciprocal influence of government upon the manners of a 
people. The history of this period furnishes striking examples 
of this. In Virginia, the free and licentious manners of society 
produce a government unsteady and capricious. This govern- 
ment reacts upon their manners, and aids rather than checks 
their licentiousness. On the contrary, in New England, the 
severe Puritanical manners of the people produce a rigid, ener- 
getic government, and the government returns its Puritanical 
influence back upon the manners of the people, 

8* 



UJNITED STATES. 



PERIOD III. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE WARS OF KING WILLIAM, 
QUEEN ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 

Extending from the Accession of William and Mary to 
the Throne of England, 1689, to the Declaration of 
the War hy England against France, 1756, called 
" the French and Indian War.^' 

Sec. 1. The news of William's accession to the throne 
of England excited great joy throughout the colonies. 
Under the sudden impulse of their feelings, the inhab- 
itants of Boston imprisoned Sir Edmund Andros, with 
about fifty of his associates, until they were ordered to 
England, to answer for maleadministration. Connecti- 
cut and Rhode Island resumed their charters, and were 
permitted by his majesty to reestablish their former gov- 
ernments. Massachusetts soon after obtained a new 
charter, which, in some respects, was less favorable to 
the colony, but, in others, more so, than its former one. 

Andros had formerly been governor of New York, 
under the Duke of York, in which province his ad- 
ministration had been distinguished for measures both 
arbitrary and severe. Subsequent governors, under the 
duke, and after he came to the throne, had generally pur- 
sued a similar course. The discontents of the people 
had been gradually increasing, and they were ready for 
revolution, when the above intelligence of the proceed- 
ings at Boston arrived. A revolution soon commenced. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 91 

and, although attended by unhappy events, issued in the 
restoration of the rights of the people, and the formation 
of a constitution, which laid the foundation of their pro- 
vincial code. 

From the reduction of New York, in 1664, to 1683, the people 
had no share in tlie government. In 1681, the council court of 
assizes, and corporation, had sohcited the Duke of York to per- 
mit the people to choose their own rulers. Accordingly, the next 
year, Thomas Dongan, a papist, was appointed governor, with 
instructions to call an assembly, to consist of a council of ten, 
and of eighteen representatives, elected by the freeholders. 

On the accession of the Duke of York to the throne, under 
the title of James II., he refused to confirm to the people the 
privileges granted them while he was duke. No assembly was 
permitted to be convened ; printing-presses were prohibited, and 
the more important provincial offices were conferred on papists. 

Such was the state of things when intelligence of the 
seizure of Andros arrived. This gave a spring to the general 
dissatisfaction, which burst forth into open resistance to the ex- 
isting administration. 

One Jacob Leisler, with several others, immediately took pos- 
session of the fort. Gov. Dongan had just embarked for Eng- 
land, leaving the administration of the government, during his 
absence, to Charles Nicholson, at that time his deputy. Nichol- 
son and his officers made what opposition to Leisler they were 
able ; but, he having been joined by six militia captains, and four 
hundred and seventy men, Nicholson absconded. Upon this, 
Leisler assumed the supreme command. 

This assumption of Leisler was far from being pleasant to the 
council and magistrates, at the head of whom were Col. Bayard and 
the mayor. Finding it impossiole, however, to succeed against 
Leisler in New York, they retired to Albany, and there employed 
their influence to foment opposition. Both Leisler, in New York, 
and the people at Albany, held their respective garrisons in the 
name of William and Mary ; but neither would submit to the 
authority of the other. 

While affiiirs were in this posture, a letter from the Lords Car- 
mathen and Halifax arrived, directed •• To Francis Nicholson, 
Esq., or, in his absence, to such as, for the time being, take care 
for preserving the peace and administering the laws," &c. Ac- 
companying this letter was another of a subsequent date, vest- 
ing Nicholson with the chief command. 

As Nicholson had absconded, Leisler construed the letter as 
directed to himself, and from that time assumed the title and 
authority of lieutenant-governor. The southern part of New 
York generally submitted to him ; but Albany refusing subjee- 



92| PERIOD 111.-1089 TO 175G. 

lion, Miiborn, his son-in-law, was sent to reduce them. In his 
first attempt he failed ; but during the ensuing spring, 1690, he 
took possession of the fort, and the inhabitants submitted. 

On the 19th of March, 1G91, Col. Sloughter arrived at New 
York, in the capacity of the king's governor. Nicholson and 
Bayard, who had been imprisoned by Leisler, were released. 
The latter was obliged to abandon the fort, and, with Milborn, 
his son-in-law, was apprehended, tried for high treason, and 
condemned. Their immediate execution was urged by the peo- 
ple ; but the governor, fearful of consequences, chose to defer it. 
To effect their purpose, an invitation was given him by the citi- 
zens to a sumptuous feast, and, while his reason was drowned 
in intoxication, a warrant for their execution was presented to 
him and signed. Before he recovered his senses, the prisoners 
were no more. 

Measures so violent greatly agitated the existing parties ; but, 
in the end, the revolution which had taken place, restored the 
rights of Englishmen to the colony. Gov. Sloughter convoked 
^n assembly, which formed a constitution. This, among other 
provisions, secured trials by jury, freedom from taxation, except 
■by the consent of the assembly, and toleration to all denomina- 
tions of Christians, excepting Roman Catholics. 

It may be added, in this place, that the civil history of New 
"York, from this period to the French war, presents few events 
of special interest to the young. The governors, who succeeded 
Sloughter, during the above interval, were Fletcher, 1G92; the 
Earl of Bellamont, 1G98 ; Lord Cornbury, 1702; Hunter. 1710; 
Burnet, 1720 ; Montgomery, 1731 ; Crosby, 1732 ; Clark,' 1736 ; 
George Clinton, 1743. In general, these governors were strong- 
ly attached to the interests of the crown, and often apparently 
more solicitous to subserve their own selfish purposes than to 
advance the permanent welfare of the colony. Hence collis- 
ions frequently arose between them and the colonial assemblies, 
which disturbed the general peace, and retarded the prosperity 
of the colony. 

2. 1690. While the northern colonies were troubled, 
as noticed in the preceding section, those of the Caro- 
linas were in a similar state of dissension and distress. 
To allay these, in the northern colony, Seth Sothel was 
appointed chief magistrate ; but, proving corrupt in his 
administration, he was banished by the assembly, in 
1690 ; immediately after which, he repaired to Charles- 
ton, and usurped the government of the southern colony. 
Added to this, a quarrel arose, between the proprietors 
and the English inhabitants, in relation to a body of 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 93 

French Protestants, which had planted themselves in the 
county of Craven — the proprietors demanding for them 
the privilege of electing representatives, which was stren- 
uously refused by the English Episcopalians. Such be- 
ing the general turbulence and disorder of the times, 
Sir John Archdale, one of the proprietors, was sent over, 
in 1695, as governor of both the Carolinas, with full 
powers to redress grievances, and to adjust, if possible, 
existing difficulties. These objects, by his singular wis- 
dom and address, he in a measure accomplished. 

In respect to the deep-rooted prejudices existing against the 
above French Protestants, Archdale found it to be the part of wis- 
dom to leave them to be softened and removed by time. This a 
few years effected. The amiable deportmentof the refugees so won 
upon the English, that they were cheerfully admitted to all the 
rights of citizens and freemen. 

At a subsequent date, the repose of the southern colony was 
greatly disturbed by the passage of a law by the general assem- 
bly, establishing the Episcopal religion, and excluding dissenters 
from a seat in the assembly. This gave birth to bitter animosities, 
and as bitter contentions. Complaints being made to Queen Anne, 
then on the throne, the law was declared to be void. This agitat- 
ing question being thus put at rest, the colony again enjoyed the 
blessings of domestic quiet. (See Sec. 17, 20.) 

3. About this period, 1692, commenced in Danvers, 
then a part of Salem, Massachusetts, a singular infatu- 
ation on the supposed prevalence of witchcraft. In a 
short time, this infatuation pervaded several parts of 
New England, producing, in its progress, the greatest 
distress in private families, and disorder and tumult 
throughout the country. 

The first suspicion of witchcraft in New England, and in the 
United States, began at Springfield, Massachusetts, as early as 
1645. Several persons, about that time, were accused, tried and 
executed in Massachusetts; one at Charlestown,one at Dorches- 
ter, one at Cambridge, and one at Boston. For almost thirty- 
years afterwards, the subject rested. But, in 1687 or 1688, it was 
revived in Boston ; four of the children of John Goodwin uniting 
in accusing a poor Irish woman with bewitching them. Unhap- 
pily, the accusation was regarded with attention, and the woman 
was tried and executed. 

Near the close of February, 1692, the subject was again re- 



94 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 1756. 

vived, in consequence of several cliildren in Danvers, Saleiir, 
beginning to act in a peculiar and unaccountable manner. Their 
strange conduct continuing for several days, tlieir friends betook 
themselves to fasting and prayer. During religious exercises, 
it was found that the children were generally decent and still ; 
but after service was ended, they renewed their former inexpli- 
cable conduct. This was deemed sufficient evidence, that they 
were laboring under the influence of witchcraft. 

At the expiration of some days, the children began to accuse 
several persons in the neighborliood of bewitching them. Un- 
fortunately, they were credited, and the svispected authors of the 
spell were seized and imprisoned. 

From this date, the awful mania rapidly spread into the neigh- 
boring country, and soon appeared in variouss parts of Essex, 
Middlesex, and Suffolk. Persons at Andover, Ipswich, Glouces- 
ter, Boston, and several other places, were accused by their 
neighbors and others. 

For some time, the victims were selected only from the lower 
classes. But, at length, the accusations fell upon persons of the 
most respectable rank. In August, Mr. George Boroughs, some 
time minister in Salem, was accused, brought to trial, and con- 
demned. Accusations were also brought against Mr. English, a 
respectable merchant in Salem, and his wife ; against Messrs. 
Dudley and John Bradstreet, sons of the then late Governor 
Bradstreet ; against the wife of Mr. Hale, and the lady of Sir 
William Phipps. 

The evil had now become awfully alarming. One man, named 
Giles Corey, had been pressed to death for refusing to put him- 
self on a trial by jury ; and nineteen persons had been executed, 
more than one third of whom were members of the church. 
One hundred and fifty were in prison, and two hundred were 
accused. 

At length, the inquiry was anxiously suggested, Where will 
this accumulating mischief and misery end ? A conviction be- 
iran to spread, that the proceedings had been rash and indefensi- 
ble. A special court was held on the subject, and fifty, who were 
brought to trial, were acquitted, excepting three, who were afler- 
wards reprieved by the governor. These events were followed 
hy a general release of those who had been imprisoned. '• Thus 
the cloud," says the late President Dwight, ^' which had so long 
hung over the colony, slowly and sullenly retired; and. like the 
darkness of Egypt, was, to the great joy of the distressed in- 
habitants, succeeded by serenity and sunshine." 

We, who live to look back upon this scene, are wont to con- 
template, with wonder, the seeming madness and infatuation, 
not of the weak, illiterate, and unprincipled, but of men of 
rtense, education, and fervent piety. Let us consider, however, 
that, at this period, the actual existence of v:itchcrafl was taken 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND <JEORGE II. 95 

• 

•for granted, and that doubts respecting it were deemed little less 
than heresy. The learned Baxter, who lived at this time in 
England, where the same notions on this subject prevailed, pro- 
nounced the disbeliever in witchcraft, an '* obdurate Sadducee ;" 
and Sir Matthew Hale, one of the brightest ornaments of the 
English bench, r&peatedly tried and condemned those as crim 
jnals who were accused of witciacraft. 

In conclusion., it may be remarked, that no people on earth are 
now more enlightened on this subject than are the people of 
America. JVothing of a similar kind has since existed, and 
probably never will exist. Stories of wonder, founded upon an- 
cient tradition, or upon a midjaight adventure, sometimes awe 
the village circle on a winter's night ; but the succeeding day 
chases away every ghost, and lulls every fear. It becomes the 
present generation to advert with gratitude to their freedom 
from those delusions which distressed and agitated their ancestors, 
rather than to bestow invectives upon them, since they could 
plead, in palliation of tiieir error, the spirit of the age in which 
they lived. 

4. Scarcely were the colonies relieved from the op- 
pression of Kmg James, before they were visited with 
troubles of a nature still more distressing. The revolu- 
tion, wliich followed the accession of William and Mary, 
had indeed restored their liberties, but it involved them 
in a war both with the French and Indians, which con- 
tinued from 1690 to the peace of Ryswick, in 1697, 
commonly called " King William's War J' 

King James, on leaving England, fled to France. Louis XIV., 
king of France, attempting to support him, kindled the flame of 
■war between his own country and England. The subjects of 
Louis, in Canada, of course, directed their arms against the colo- 
nies of New England and New York, and instigated the Indians 
to join them in Sieir hostilities. 

The governor of Canada, at this time, was Count 
Frontenac, a brave and enterprising officer. Inflamed 
with the resentment which had kindled in the bosom of 
his master, he fitted out three expeditions, in the dead 
of winter, against the American colonies — one against 
New York, a second against New Hampshire, and a 
third against the Province of Maine. Each of these 
parties, in the execution of their orders, marked theii' 
progress with plunder, fire, and death. 



96 PERIOD III. — 1GS9 TO 1756. 

« 

The party destined against New York, consisting of about thre& 
hundred men, fell upon Schenectady, a village on the Mohawk, 
in Fe])ruary. The season was cold, and the snow so deep, that 
it was deemed impossible for an enemy to approach. The attack 
v/as made in the deadof the night, while the inhabitants were in a 
profound sleep. Not a sentinel was awake to announce the ap- 
proaching danger. Care had been taken, by a division of the 
enemy, to attack almost every house in the same moment. When 
the preparations were ready, on a preconcerted signal, the ap- 
palling v/ar-whoop was begun ; houses were broken open and 
set on hre ; men and women were dragged from their beds, and, 
with their sleeping infants, were inhumanly murdered. Sixty 
persons perished in the massacre, thirty were made prisoners, 
while the rest of the inhabitants, mostly naked, fled through a 
deep snow, either suifering extremely, or perishing in the cold. 

The second party, directing their course to New Hampshire, 
burned Salmon Falls, killing thirty of the bravest men, and car- 
rying fifty-four of the inhabitants into a miserable captivity. 

The third party, proceeding from Quebec, destroyed the set- 
tlement of Casco, in Maine, and killed and captured one hun- 
dred people. 

5. Roused by these proceedings of the French, the 
colony of Massachusetts resolved to attack the enemy 
in turn. Accordingly, an expedition, consisting of seven 
vessels and eight hundred men, under command of Sir 
William Phipps, sailed for the reduction of Port Royal, 
in Nova Scotia, which was easily and speedily effected. 

This was soon followed by a second expedition, under 
the same commander, by the colonies of New York, 
Connecticut, and Massachusetts, united, for the reduc- 
tion of Montreal and Quebec. A combination of un- 
fortunate circumstances, however, defeated the design, 
and the expedition, after encountering numerous disas- 
ters, returned. 

The plan was, for the troops of New York and Connecticiit 
consisting of about two thousand, to penetrate into Canada, b}' 
Lake Champlain, and to attack Montreal, at the same time that 
the naval armament, consisting of between thirty and forty ves- 
sels, with a similar number of men, should invest Quebec. The 
troops destined for Montreal , not being supplied either with boats 
or provisions, sufficient for crossing the lake, were obliged to re-- 
turn. The naval expedition did not reach Quebec untifOctober. 
After spending several days in consultation, the landing of the 
troops was effected, and they began their march for the town. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 97 

At the same time, the ships were drawn up ; but the attack, both 
by land and water, was alike unsuccessful. The troops were 
soon after re-embarked ; and the weather, proving tempestuous, 
scattered the fleet, and terminated the expedition. 

The success of the expedition had been so confidently antici- 
pated, that provision had not been made for the payment of the 
troops: there was danger, therefore, of a mutiny. In this ex- 
tremity, Massachusetts issued bills of credit, as a substitute for 
money ; the first emission of the kind in the American colonies. 

6. The failure of the expedition to duebec was hum- 
bling to New England, and productive of other unhappy 
consequences. The Indian tribes, Mohawks, Oneidas, 
Senecas, Onondagas, and Delawares, called the Five Na- 
tions, settled along the banks of the Susquehannah, and 
in the adjacent country, who were in alliance with Great 
Britain, and had long been a safeguard to the colonies 
against the French, became dissatisfied. They blamed 
the English for their inactivity, and manifested a dispo- 
sition to make peace with the French. 

To restore the confidence of the Indian allies, Major Peter 
Schuyler, the next year, 1691, at the head of three hundred Eng- 
lish soldiers, and as many Mohawk Indians, made an attack on 
the French settlements north of Lake Champlain. De Callieres, 
governor of Montreal, was waiting to oppose him. After se,ve- 
ral irregular, but successful conflicts, Schuyler made good his 
retreat, having killed thirteen officers and three hundred men. 

New York found great seeurity against the encroachments of 
the French, in the Five Nations, who now carried on a vigorous 
war, along the river St. Lawrence, from Montreal to Quebec. 

But the eastern portion of the country, particularly New Hamp- 
shire, suffered exceedingly ; the storm falling with the greatest 
severity upon them. Both Connecticut and Massachusetts raised 
troops for their defence ; but svich was the danger and distress 
of the colony of New Hampshire, that the inhabitants were upon 
the point of abandoning the province. 

The winter of 1696 was unusually severe. Never had the 
tountry sustained such losses in commerce ; nor had provisions, 
in any period of the Avar, been more scarce, or borne a higher 
price. 

7. In the midst of these distresses, the country was 
threatened with a blow, which it seemed impossible that 
it should sustain. The Marquis Nesmond, an officer 
of high reputation, was despatched from France, with 

9 



98 PERIOD III.— 1689 TO 1756. 

ten ships of the line, a galliot, and two frigates. Count 
Frontenac, from Canada, was expected to join him at 
Penobscot, with one thousand five hundred men. With 
this force, they were to make a descent on Boston ; to 
range the coast of Newfoundland, and burn the ship- 
ping which should fall in their way. To finish their 
work of destruction, they were to take New York, 
whence the troops, under Frontenac, were to return to 
Canada, through the country, wasting and destroying 
the regions through which they should pass. But De 
Nesmond sailed too late for the accomplishment of his 
purpose. On his arrival on the coast, not being able to 
join Frontenac in season, the expedition failed, and the 
colonies were saved. At length, December 10, 1697, a 
treaty was concluded between France and England, at 
Ryswick, in Germany, by which it was agreed, in gen- 
eral terms, that a mutual restitution should be made of 
all the countries, forts, and colonies, taken by each party 
during the war. 

King William's v/ar, which was thus brought to a close, had 
been marked by atrocities, on the part of the French and Indians, 
\intil then unknown in the history of the colonies. Infants, 
when they became troublesome, were despatched by being dashed 
against a stone or tree ; or, to add to the anguish of a mother, 
her babe was sometimes lacerated with a scourge, or nearly stran- 
gled under water, and then presented to her to quiet. If unable 
soon to succeed in this, it was too effectually quieted by the hatch- 
et, or left behind to become the prey of prowling beasts. Some 
of the captives were roasted alive ; others received deep wounds 
in the fleshy parts of their bodies, into which sticks on fire were 
thrust, until, tormented out of life, they expired. 

The details of individual sufferings, which occurred during this 
war, were they faithfully recorded, would excite the sympathies 
of the most unfeeling bosom. One instance only can we relate. 

In an attack, by a body of Indians, on Haverhill, New Hamp- 
shire, in the winter of 1697, the concluding year of the war, a 
party of the assailants, burning with savatre animosity, approached 
the house of a Mr. Dustan. Upon the first alarm, he flew from 
a neighboring field to his family, with tlie hope of hurrying them 
'to a place of safety. Seven of his children he directed to flee, 
while he himself went to assist his wife, who was confined to the 
bed with an infant a v. eek old. But before she could leave her 
bed, the savages arrived. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 99 

In despair of rendering her assistance, Mr. Dustan flew to the 
door, mounted his horse, and determined, in his own mind, to 
snatch up and save the child which he loved the best. He fol- 
lowed in pursuit of his little flock ; but, upon coming up to 
them, he found it impossible to make a selection. The eye of the 
parent could see no one of the number that he could abandon to 
the knife of the savage. He determined, therefore, to meet his 
fate with them ; to defend and save them from their pursuers, or 
die by their side. 

A body of Indians soon came up with him, and, from short dis- 
tances, flred upon him and his little company, for more than»a 
mile, he continued to retreat, placing himself between his chil- 
dren and the fire of the savages, and returning their shots with 
great spirit and success. At length, he saw them all safely 
lodged from their bloody pursuers, in a distant house. 

It is not easy to find a nobler instance of fortitude and courage, 
inspired by affection, than is exhibited in this instancy. Let us 
ever cultivate the influenced of those ties of kindred, which are 
capable of giving so generous and elevated a direction to our 
actions. 

As Mr. Dustan quitted his house, a party of Indians entered it. 
Mrs. Dustan was in bed ; but they ordered her to rise, and, before 
she could completely dress herself, obliged her and her nurse, a 
Mrs. Tefl", who had vainly endeavored to escape with the infant, 
to quit the house, which they plundered and set on fire. 

In these distressing circumstances, Mrs. Dustan l^egan her 
march, with other captives, into the wilderness. The air was 
keen, and their path led alternately through snow and deep mud ; 
and her savage conductors delighted rather in the infliction of 
torment than the alleviation of distress. 

The company had proceeded but a short distance, when an In- 
dian, thinking the infant an incumbrance, took it from the nurse's 
arms, and violently terminated its life. Such of the other cap- 
tives as began to be weary, and incapable of proceeding, the In- 
dians killed with their tomahawks. Feeble as Mrs. Dustan was, 
both she and her nurse sustained, with wonderful energy, the 
fatigue and misery attending a journey of one hundred and fifty 
miles. 

On their arrival at the place of their destination, they found 
the wigwam of the savage, who claimed them as his personal 
property, to be inhabited by twelve Indians. In the ensuing 
April, this family set out, with their captives, for an Indian settle- 
ment still more remote. The captives were informed that, on 
their arrival at the settlement, they must submit to be stripped, 
scourged, and run the gantlet, between two files of Indians. 
This information carried distress to the minds of the captive 
women, and led them promptly to devise some means of escape. 

Early in the morning of the 3lst, Mrs. Dustan, awnking her 



100 PERIOD III.— 1689 TO 1756. 

nurse and another fellow-prisoner, they despatched ten of the 
twelve Indians while asleep. The other two escaped. The 
women then pursued their difficult and toilsome journey through 
the wilderness, and at length arrived in safety at Haverhill. 
Subsequently, they visited Boston, and received, at the hand of 
tlie general court, a handsome consideration for their extraordi 
nary sufferings and heroic conduct. 

8. Scarcely had the colonies recovered from thr 
wounds and impoverishment of King William's war 
which ended in 1697, before they were again involved 
in the horrors of another war with the French, Indians, 
and Spaniards, commonly called " Queen Amicus JVar,'' 
which continued from 1702 to the peace of Utrecht, 
March 31st, 1713. 

By the treaty of Ryswick, (Sec. 7.) it was in general terms 
agreed, that France and England should mutually restore to each 
other all conquests made during the war. But the rights and 
pretensions of either monarch to certain places in Hudson's Bay, 
&c. were left to be ascertained and determined, at some future 
day, by commissioners. 

The evil consequences of leaving boundaries thus unsettled, 
were soon perceived. Disputes arose, which, mingling with 
other differences of still greater importance, led England to 
declare war against France and Spain, May 4th, 1702. 

9. The whole weight of the war in America unex- 
pectedly fell on New England. The geographical po- 
sition of New York particularly exposed that colony to 
a combined attack from the lakes and sea ; but just be- 
fore the commencement of hostilities, a treaty of neu- 
trality was concluded between the Five Nations and 
the French governor in Canada. The local situa- 
tion of the Five Nations, bordering on the frontiers of 
New York, prevented the French from molesting that 
colony. Massachusetts and New Hampshire were thus 
left to bear the chief calamities of the war. 

The declaration of war was immediately followed by 
incursions of French and Indians from Canada into 
these colonies, v/ho seized every opportunity of annoy- 
ing the inhabitants, by depredation and outrage. 

On Tuesday, February 2nth, 1704, at day-break, a party of 
French and Indians, three hundred in number, under command 



WAR* OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 101 

of the infamous Hextel De Rouville, fell upon Deerfield, Mass. 
Unhappily, not only the inhabitants, but even the watch, were 
asleep. They soon made themselves masters of the house in 
which the garrison was kept. Proceeding thence to the house 
of Mr. Williams, the clergyman, they forced the doors, and en- 
tered the room where he was sleeping. 

Awaked by the noise, Mr. Williams seized his pistol, and 
snapped it at the Indian who first approached ; but it missed fire. 
Mr. Williams v/as now seized, disarmed, bound, and kept stand- 
ing without his clothes, in the intense cold, nearly an hour. 

His house was next plundered, and two of his children, to- 
gether with a black female servant, were butchered before his 
eyes. The savages, at length, suffered his wife and five chil- 
dren to put on their clothes, after which he was himself allov/ed 
to dress, and prepare for a long and melancholy journey. 

The whole town around them was now on fire. Every house, 
but the one next to Mr. Williams"s, was consumed. Having 
completed their work of destruction, in burning the town, and 
killing forty-seven persons, the enemy hastily retreated, taking 
with them one hundred of the inhabitants, among whom were 
Mr. Williams and his family. 

The first night after their departure from Deerfield, the sav- 
ages murdered Mr. Williams's servant; and, on the day succeed- 
ing, finding Mrs. Williams unable to keep pace with the rest, 
plunged a hatchet into her head. She had recently borne an, 
infant, and was not yet recovered. But her husband was not per- 
mitted to assist her. He himself was lame, bound, insulted, 
threatened, and nearly famished ; but what were personal suffer- 
ings like these, and even greater than these, to the sight of a 
wife, under circumstances so tender, inhumanly butchered be- 
fore his eyes ! Before the journey was ended, seventeen others 
shared the melancholy fate of Mrs. Williams. 

On their arrival in Canada, it may be added, Mr. Williams 
was treated with civility by the French. At the end of two 
years, he was redeemed, with fifty-seven others, and returned to 
Deerfield, where, after twelve years' labor in the gospel, he en- 
tered into his rest. 

10. In the spring of 1707, Massachusetts, Rhode 
Island, and New Hampshire, despatched an armament 
against Port Royal, in Nova Scotia. The expedition, 
consisting of one thousand men, sailed from Nantucket, 
in twenty-three transports, under convoy of the Deptfort 
man-of-war, and the Province galley. After a short 
voyage, they arrived at Port Royal ; but March, the 
commander of the expedition, though a brave man, be- 
9* 



102 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 1756. 

ing unfit to lead in an enterprise so difficult, little was 
done beyond burning a few houses and killing a few 
cattle. 

Wliile this unfortunate expedition was in progress, the frontiers 
were kept in constant alarm. Oyster River; Exeter, Kingston, 
and Dover, in New Hampshire, Berwick, York, Wells, and Cas- 
CO, in Maine, were attacked, and considerably damaged by the 
enemy. 

11. The colonies were now resolved on another at- 
tempt upon Canada. In 1708, Massachusetts petitioned 
Queen Anne for assistance, and she promised to send 
five regiments of regular troops. These, with twelve 
hundred men raised in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 
were to sail from Boston to Quebec. 

A second division of one thousand eight hundred 
men, from colonies south of Rhode Island, were to march 
against Montreal, by way of Champlain ; but this pro- 
ject also failed, the land troops returning, after penetrat- 
ing to Wood Creek, in consequence of learning that the 
naval armament, promised from England, had been di- 
rected to Portugal. 

12. The patience of the colonies was not yet ex- 
hausted. Another application was made to the queen, 
and, in July, 1710, Col. Nicholson came over with five 
frigates and a bomb ketch, for the purpose of reducing 
Port Royal. In this expedition, he was joined by five 
regiments of troops from New England. 

The armament, consisting of the above frigates, and 
between twenty and thirty transports, belonging to the 
colonies, sailed from Boston, September 18th. On the 
24th, it reached Port Royal, which surrendered October 
5th, and, in honor of Queen Anne, was called Annapolis. 

Animated with his success, Nicholson soon after sailed for 
England, to solicit another expedition against Canada. Contrary 
to the expectations of the colonies, the ministry acceded to the 
proposal, and orders were issued to the northern colonies to get 
ready their quotas of men. 

Sixteen days after these orders arrived, a fleet of men-of-war 
and transports, under command of Sir Hovenden Walker, with 
seven regiments of the Duke of Marlborough's troops, and a bat- 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANxNE, AND GEORGE II. 103 

lalion of marines, under Brigadier- General Hill, sailed into Bos- 
ton. But the fleet had neither provisions nor pilots. Aided, 
however, by the prompt and active exertions of the colonies, on 
the 30th of July, the fleet, consisting of fifteen men-of-war, forty- 
transports, and six store-ships, with nearly seven thousand men, 
sailed from Boston for Canada. 

Shortly after the departure of the fleet, General Nicholson 
proceeded from Albany towards Canada, at the head of four 
thousand men, from the colonies of Connecticut, New York, and 
New Jersey. 

The fleet arrived in the St. Lawrence, August 14th. In pro- 
ceeding up the river, through the unskilfulness of the pilots, 
and by contrary winds, it was in imminent danger of entire de- 
struction. On the 22d, about midnight, the seamen discovered 
that they were driven on the north shore, among islands and 
rocks. Eight or nine of the British transports, on board of 
which were about one thousand seven hundred officers and 
soldiers, were cast aw^ay, and nearly one thousand men were lost. 
Upon this disaster, no further attempts were made to prosecute 
the expedition. The fleet sailed directly for England, and the 
provincial troops returned home. Gen. Nicholson, who had ad- 
vanced to Lake George, hearing of the fate of the expedition on 
the St. Lawrence, returned with the land forces, and abandoned 
tlie enterprise. 

The failure of this expedition was unjustly imputed, by the 
mother country, wholly to New England ; nor did the colonies 
receive any credit for their vigorous exertions in raising men 
and fitting out the fleet. The expedition was not, however, 
without a beneficial effect, as it probably prevented Annapolis 
from falling into the hands of the enemy. 

13. The spring of 1712 opened with new depreda- 
tions of the enemy upon the frontier settlements. Oys- 
ter River, Exeter, York, Wells, &c., were again attacked 
and plundered. Many inhabitants, in different parts of 
the country, were murdered, although, in some portions 
of the colonies, one half of the militia were constantly 
on duty. 

14. The northern colonies were not alone in the dis- 
tresses of Q,ueen Anne's war. Carolina, then the south- 
ern frontier of the American colonies, had her full share 
in its expenses and sufferings. 

Before official intelligence had been received of the 
declaration of war by England against France and Spain, 
in 1702, although war had actually been declared. Gov. 



104 PERIOD III.— 1689 TO 1756. 

Moore, of the southern settlements in Carolina, proposed 
to the assembly of the colony an expedition against the 
Spanish settlement of St. Augustine, in Florida. 

Although assured of its easy conquest, and of being 
amply rewarded by its treasures of gold and silver, num- 
bers of the more considerate in the asseml)ly were op- 
posed to the expedition. A majority, however, being in 
favor of it, two thousand pounds were voted, and one 
thousand two hundred men were raised, of whom one 
half were Indians ; but the expedition entirely failed. 

With the forces above named, and some merchant vessels, im- 
pressed as transports. Gov. Moore sailed for St. Augustine. The 
design was for Col. Daniel, an enterprising officer, to proceed 
by the inland passage, and to attack the town by land, with a 
party of militia and Indians ; while Moore was to proceed by 
sea, and take possession of the harbor. Daniel advanced against 
the town, entered, and plundered it, before the governor's arrival. 
The Spaniards, hoAvever, retired to the castle, with their princi- 
pal riches, and with provisions for four months. 

The governor, on his arrival, could effect nothing for v,\ant of 
artillery. In this emergency, Daniel Avas despatched to Jamaica 
for cannon, mortars, &c. During his absence, two large Span- 
ish ships appearing off the harbor, Gov. Moore hastily raised the 
siege, abandoned his shipping, and made a precipitate retreat into 
Carolina. Col. Daniel, having no intelligence that the siege had 
been raised, on his return, stood in for the harbor, and narrowly 
escaped the ships of the enemy. In consequence of this rash 
and unfortunate enterprise, the colony was loaded with a debt 
■of six thousand pounds, which gave rise to the first paper cur- 
rency in Carolina, and was the means of filling the colony with 
dissension and tumult. 

15. The failure of this expedition was soon after, in a 
measure, compensated by a successful war with the 
Apalachian Indians, who, in consequence of their con- 
nection with the Spaniards, became insolent and hostile. 
Gov. Moore, with a body of white men and Indian allies, 
marched into the heart of their country, and compelled 
them to submit to the English. 

. All the towns of the tribes between the rivers Altamaha and 
Savannah, were burnt, and between six hundred and eight hun- 
dred Indians were made prisoners. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 105 

16. Although this enterprise was successful, new dan- 
gers soon threatened the colony. Its invasion was at- 
tempted, 1707, by the French and Spaniards, in order to 
annex Carolina to Florida. The expedition, headed by 
Le Feboure, consisted of a French frigate, and four arm- 
ed sloops, having about eight hundred men on board. 
Owing to the prompt and vigorous measures of Johnson, 
who had superseded Moore as governor, the enemy were 
repulsed, and the threatened calamity averted. 

No sooner was the intended invasion rumored abroad, tlian 
preparations were commenced to repel the enemy. The militia 
were mustered and trained, and the fortifications of Charleston 
and other places repaired. These preparations were scarcely 
completed, before the fleet of the enemy appeared. Some time 
elapsed, however, before they crossed the bar, which enabled the 
grovernor to alarm the surrounding country, and to call in great 
numbers of the militia. 

At length, with a fair wind, the enemy passed the bar, and 
sent a summons to the governor to surrender. Four hours were 
allowed him to return his answer. But the governor informed 
the messenger that he did not wish one minute. On the recep- 
tion of this answer, the enemy seemed to hesitate, and attempt- 
ed nothing that day. 

The day succeeding, a party of the enemy, landing on James 
Island, burnt a village by the river's side. Another party, of one 
hundred and sixty, landed at Wando Neck. The next day, both 
these parties were dislodged ; the latter party being surprised, 
and nearly all killed or taken prisoners. 

This success so animated the Carolinians, that it was deter- 
mined to attack the enemy by sea. This was attempted with a 
force of six vessels, under command of William Rhet ; but on the 
appearance of Rhet, the enemy weighed anchor, and precipitate- 
ly fled. 

Some days succeeding this, Monsieur Arbuset appeared on the 
coast with a ship of force, and landed a number of men at Sewee 
Bay. Rhet sailed out against him, and, at the same time, Capt. 
Fenwick crossed the river, and marched to attack the enemy by 
land. After a brisk engagement, Fenwick took the enemy on 
land prisoners, and Rhet succeeded in capturing the ship. 

17. In 1710, a large number of Palatines, inhabit- 
ants of a Palatinate, a small territory in Germany, whose 
governor or prince is called a Palatine, arrived and set- 
tled on the Roanoke, in Albemarle and Bath counties, 



106 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 1756. 

within the boundaries of North Carolina. These were 
a great accession to the strength and numbers of the 
colony, which, although of sixty years' standing, was ex- 
ceedingly small. 

The same year, near three thousand of the same people came 
to New York. Some settled in that city, and built the old Lu- 
theran church : others settled on Livingston's manor. Some 
went into Pennsylvania, and, at subsequent periods, were follow- 
ed by many thousands of their countrymen. 

Two years after the above settlers arrived in Carolina, 
and during Queen Anne's war, a plot was laid by the 
Corees and Tuscaroras, with other Indian tribes, to 
massacre the whole number. This plot was soon so far 
put in execution, that one hundred and seven settlers 
were butchered in their houses in a single night. In- 
formation of their distress being conveyed to Charleston, 
Col. Barnwell, with six hundred militia and three hun- 
dred and fifty friendly Indians, explored their way through 
the intervening wilderness, and came to their relief On 
his arrival. Col. B. surprised the Tuscaroras, killed three 
hundred of them, and made one hundred prisoners. 

The surviving Indians fled to a town which had been fortified 
by the tribe ; but here they were again attacked by Barnwell, 
w^ho killed great numbers of them, and compelled the remainder 
to sue for peace. It is estimated that the Tuscaroras, in this 
war, lost one thousand of tjieir number. The rem.ainder of the 
tribe, early after the war, abandoned the country, and became 
united with the Five Nations, which since that time have been 
called the Six A''atioiis. 

18. The following year, March 31st, 1713, a treaty 
of peace was concluded at Utrecht, between England 
and France. This relieved the apprehensions of the 
northern part of the country, and put a welcome period 
to an expensive and distressing war. After the peace 
was known in America, the eastern Indians sent in a 
flag and desired peace. The governor of Massachu- 
setts, with his council, and with that of New Hampshire, 
met them at Portsmouth, received their submission, and 
entered into terms of pacification. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 107 

By the above treaty between England and France, Newfound- 
land and Nova Scotia were ceded to Great Britain. It was also 
stipulated, that " the subjects of France, inhabiting Canada and 
other places, shall hereafter give no hinderance or molestation to 
the Five Nations, nor to the other nations of Indians who are 
friends to Great Britain." By the treaty, also, the Frejich relin- 
quished all claim to the Five Nations, and to all parts of their 
territories, and, as far as respected tliemselves, entitled the British 
crown to the sovereignty of the country. 

19. The termination of dueen Anne's war gave peace 
to the northern colonies, but the contest with the Indians 
continued for some time to distress the Carolinians. 

Scarcely had the people recovered from the above war with 
the Corees and Tuscaroras, before they were threatened with a 
calamity still greater and more general. The Tamosees, a 
powerful tribe of Indians, with all the Indian tribes from Florida 
to Cape Fear river, formed a conspiracy for the total extirpation 
of the Carolinians. The 15th of April, 1715, was fixed upon as 
the day of general destruction. Owing, however, to the Avisdom, 
despatch and firmness of Governor Craven, and the blessing of 
Providence, the calamity was in a measure averted, and the 
colonies saved, though at the expense, during the war, of near 
four hundred of the inhabitants. The Yamosees were expelled 
the province, and took refuge among the Spaniards in Florida. 

20. In 1719, the government of Carolina, which till 
i>ow had been proprietary, was changed, the charter be- 
ing declared by the king's privy council to have been 
forfeited ; and from this time, the colony was taken un- 
der the royal protection, under which it continued till 
the American revolution. 

The people had long been disgusted with the management of 
the proprietors, and were resolved, at all hazards, to execute their 
own laws, and defend the rights of the province. A subscription 
to this effect was drawn up and generally signed. 

On the meeting of the assembly, a committee was sent with 
this subscription to the governor, Robert Johnson, requesting him 
to accept the government of the province, under the king, instead 
of the proprietors. 

Upon his refusal, the assembly chose Col. James Moore gov 
ernor, under the crown ; and on the 21st of December, 1719, the 
convention and militia marched to Charleston fort, and proclaim- 
ed Moore governor in his majesty's name. 

The Carolinians, having assumed the government, in behalf 
of the king, referred their complaints to the royal ear. On a full 



108 PERIOD III.— 1689 TO 1756. 

hearing of the case, the privy council adjudged that the proprie- 
tors had forfeited their charter. From this time, therefore, the 
colony, as stated above, was taken under the royal protection, 
under which it continued till the American revolution. 

This change was followed, in 1729, by another, nearly as im- 
portant. .This was an agreement between the proprietors and 
the crown, that the former should surrender to the crown their 
right and interest both to the government and soil, for the sum 
of seventeen thousand five hundred pounds sterling. This agree- 
ment being carried into effect, the province was divided into 
North and South Carolina, each province having a distinct gov- 
ernor under the crown of England. 

21. It has been stated that peace was concluded 
by Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with the eastern 
Indians, soon after the pacification at Utrecht, in 1713. 
This peace, however, was of short duration, dissatisfac- 
tion arising on the part of the Indians, because of the en- 
croachments of the English on their lands, and because 
trading-houses were not erected for the purchase of their 
commodities. 

The governor of Massachusetts promised them re- 
dress ; but, the general court not carrying his stipula- 
tions into execution, the Indians became irritated, and, 
at the same time, being excited by the French Jesuits, 
were roused to war, which, in July, 1722, became gen- 
eral, and continued to distress the eastern settlements 
until 1725. 

The tribes engaged in the war were the Norridgewocks, Pe- 
nobscots. St. Francois, Cape Sable, and St. John Indians. In 
June, 1725, hostilities ceased, soon after which a treaty was sign- 
ed by the Indians, and was afterwards ratified by commissioners 
from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia. This 
treaty was greatly applauded ; and under it, owing to the more 
pacific feelings of the Indians, and the more faithful observance 
of its stipulations by the English, the colonies experienced un- 
usual tranquillity for a long time. 

22. The settlement of Georgia was begun in 1733, 
and was named after King George II., at that time on 
the throne of England. In the settlement of Georgia, 
two objects were principally in view — the relief of indi- 
gent inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland, and the 
greater security of the Carolinas. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 109 

The charter was granted to twenty-one persons, under the 
title of trustees, and passed the seals June 9th, 173-2. The first 
settlers, one hundred and sixteen in number, embarked from 
England in November of the same year, under General Ogle- 
thorpe. They landed at Charleston, whence they repaired to 
Ynmacnno-bluff, on Savannah river, and commenced the town of 
that name. 

The colony, for many years, did not flourish. In their regula- 
tions for its management, the trustees enacted that all lands 
granted by them to settlers should revert back, in case of the fail- 
ure of male succession ; although certain privileges were to be 
allowed to widows and daughters. At the same time, all trade 
with the Indians was prohibited, unless by virtue of special li- 
cense. The use of negroes, and the importation of rum, were 
absolutely forbidden. 

Although the trustees were actuated by the purest motives — 
by principles of humanity, and a regard to the health and morals 
of the inhabitants — this system of regulations was unfitted to the 
condition of the poor settlers, and was highly injurious to their 
increase and prosperity. 

Emigrants, however, continued to arrive. The first adven- 
turers, being poor and unenterprising, a more active and efficient 
race was desirable. To induce such to settle in the colony, 
eleven towns were laid out in shares of fifty acres each ; one of 
which was otfered to each new settler. Upon this, large num- 
bers of Swiss, Scotch, and Germans, became adventurers to the 
colony. Within three years ftom the first settlement, one thou- 
sand four hundred planters had arrived. 

To aid the colony, parliament made several grants of money ; 
individuals also gave considerable sums for the same purpose : 
owing, however, to the impolitic regulations of the trustees, the 
colony maintained only a feeble existence. 

Oglethorpe and his party arrived on the banks of the Savan- 
nah, on the first of February. For several days, the people were 
employed in erecting a fortification, and in felling the woods, 
while the general marked out the town. The first house was 
begun on the ninth, and the town, after the Indian name of the 
river, was called Savannah. The fort being completed, the guns 
mounted, and the colony put in a state of safety, the next object 
of Oglethorpe's attention was to treat with the Indians, for a 
share of their possessions. In his intercourse with the Indians, 
he was greatly assisted by an Indian woman, whom he found at 
Savannah, by the name of Mary Musgrove. She had resided 
among the English, in another part of the country, and was well 
acquainted with their language. She was of great use, therefore, 
to Gen. Oglethorpe, as an interpreter, for which service he gave 
her a hundred pounds a year. 
10 



110 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 1756. 

Among those who came over with Gen. Oglethorpe was a 
man by the name of Thomas Bosomworth, who was the chaplain 
of the colony. Soon after his arrival at Savannah, he married 
the above-mentioned Mary Musgrove. Unhappily, Bosomworth 
was at heart a bad man, though by profession a minister of the 
gospel. He was distinguished for his pride and love of riches 
and influence. At the same time, he was artful and intriguing; 
yet, on account of his profession, he was, for a time, much re- 
spected by the Indians. 

At one of the great councils of the Indians, this artful man 
induced the chiefs to crown Malatche, one of the greatest among 
them, emperor of all the Creeks. After this, he persuaded his 
wife to call herself the eldest sister of Malatche ; and she told 
the Indians, that one of her grandfathers had been made king, by 
the Great Spirit, over all the Creeks. The Indians believed 
what Mary told them ; for they had become very proud of her 
since Gen. Oglethorpe had taken so much notice of her, and 
had been so kind to her ; and they acknowledged her for their 
queen. They called a great meeting of the chiefs, and Mary 
made them a long talk. She told them, that the whites were 
their enemies, and had done them much injury — that they were 
getting away the lands of the Indians, and would soon drive 
them from all their possessions. Said she, " We must assert our 
rights — we must arm ourselves against them — we must drive 
them from our territories. Let us call forth our warriors — I will 
head them. Stand by me, and the houses which they have 
erected shall smoke in ruins." The spirit of Queen Mary was 
contagious. Every chief present declared himself ready to de- 
fend her to the last drop of his blood. 

After due preparation, the warriors were called forth. They 
had painted themselves afresh, and sharpened anew their toma- 
hawks for the battle. Their march was now commenced. Queen 
Mary, attended by her infamous husband, the real author and 
instigator of all their discontent, headed the savage throng. 
Before they reached Savannah, their approach was announced. 
The people were justly alarmed. They were few in number, 
and though they had a fortification and cannon, they had no 
good reason to hope, th^it they should be able to ward off the 
deadly blow which was aimed against them. 

By this time, the savages were in sight of Savannah. At this 
critical moment, an Englishman, by the name of Noble Jones, a 
bold and daring man, rode forth, with a few spirited men, on 
horseback, to meet them. As he approached them, he exclaimed, 
in a voice like thunder, " Ground your arms! ground your arms! 
not an armed Indian shall set his foot in this town." 

Awe-struck at his lofty tone, and perceiving him and his com- 
panions ready to dash in among them, they paused, and soon af- 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. Ill 

ter laid down their arms. Bosomworth and his queen were now 
summoned to march into the city — the. Indian chiefs were also 
allowed to enter, but without their arms. On reaching the pa- 
rade ground, the thunder of fifteen cannon, fired at the same 
moment, told them what they might expect, should they persist 
in their hostile designs. The Indians were now marched to the 
house of the president of the council in Savannah. Bosomworth 
was required to leave the Indians, while the president had a 
friendly talk with them. 

In his address to them, he assured them of the kindness of the 
English, and demanded what they meant by coming in this war- 
like manner. In reply, they told the president that they had 
heard that Mary was to be sent over the great waters, and they 
had come to learn why they were to lose iheir queen. Finding 
that the Indians had been deceived, and that Bosomworth was 
tlie author of all the trouble, and that he had even intended to 
get possession of the magazine, and to destroy the whites, the 
council directed him to be seized and thrown into prison. This 
step Mary resented with great spirit. Rushing forth among the 
Indians, she openly cursed Gen. Oglethorpe, although he had 
raised her from poverty and distress, and declared that the 
whole world should know, that the ground she trod upon was 
her own. 

The warlike spirit of the Indians being thus likely to be re- 
newed, it was thought advisable to imprison Mary also. This 
was accordingly done. At the same time, to appease the Indians, 
a sumptuous feast was made for the chiefs by the president, who, 
during the better state of feeling, which seemed to prevail, took 
occasion to explain to them the wickedness of Bosomworth, and 
how, by falsehood and cunning, he had led them to believe that 
Mary was really their queen — a descendant of one of their great 
chiefs. '• Brothers," said he, " this is not true — Queen Mary is 
no other than Mary Musgrove, whom I found poor, and who has 
been made the dupe of the artful Bosomworth, and you, brothers, 
the dupes of both." 

The aspect of things was now pleasant. The Indians were 
beginning to be satisfied of the villany of Bosomworth, and of the 
real character of Mary ; but, at this moment, the door was thrown 
open, and, to the surprise of all, Mary burst into the room. She 
had made her escape from prison, and, learning what was going 
on, she rushed forward with the fury of a tigress. '• Seize your 
arms ! " exclaimed she," seize your arms ! remember your prom- 
ise, and defend your queen." The sight of their queen seemed to 
bring back, in a moment, all the original ardor of the enterprise. 
In an instant, every chief seized his tomahawk, and sprang from 
the ground, to rally at the call of their queen. 

At this moment, Capt. Jones, who was present, perceiving the 



112 PERIOD III. — 16S9 TO 1756. 

danger of the president and the other whites, drew his sword, 
and demanded peace. The majesty of his countenance — the fire 
of his eye — the glittering of his sword — told Queen Mary what 
she might expect, should she attempt to raise any higher the fe- 
verish spirits of her subjects. The Indians cast an eye towards 
her, as if to inquire what they should do. Her countenance fell. 
Perceiving his ad^'antage. Jones stepped forward, and, in the 
presence of the Indians, seized Mary, and conducted her back to 
prison. 

A short imprisonment so far humbled both Bosomworth and 
Mary, that each wrote a letter, confessing what they had done, 
and promising, if released, that they v.'ould conduct vrith more 
propriety in future. The people kindly forgave them both, and 
they left the city. But they did not perform their promise. 
Bosomworth again tried to make Mary queen, and to get posses- 
sion of three large islands called Ossabaw, Sapelo, and St. Cath- 
erine's. He pretended that they had been given to him by the In- 
dians. Finding, however, that he could not sustain his claim, he 
went over to England with Mary, and there instituted a lawsuit 
for their recovery. At length, having obtained St. Catharine's 
island, by a judgment of the court, he returned with his wife, 
and took up his residence on that island. Here Mary died ; 
some time after which Bosomworth married one of his own ser- 
vants, who did not survive him. At length, he finished his own 
inglorious life, and was buried between his two wives, upon the 
island which had cost him so much trouble. 

23. Gen. Oglethorpe, having been appointed command- 
er-in-chief of the forces of South Carolina and Georgia, 
projected an expedition against St. Augustine, in 1740. 
Aided by Virginia and Carolina, he marched, at the 
head of more than two thousand men, for Florida ; and, 
after taking two small Spanish forts, Diego and Moosa, 
he sat down before St. Augustine. Capt. Price, with 
several twenty-gun ships, assisted by sea ; but after all 
their exertions, the general was forced to raise the siege, 
and return with considerable loss. 

24. Two years after, 1742, the Spaniards invaded 
Georgia, in" turn. A Spanish armament, consisting of 
thirty-two sail, with three thousand men, under com- 
mand of Don Manuel de Monteano, sailed from St. Au- 
gustine, and arrived in the river Altamaha. The expe- 
dition, although fitted out at great expense, failed of 
accomplishing its object. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III,, ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 113 

Gen. Oglethorpe was, at this time, at Fort Simons. Finding 
himself unable to retain possession of it, having but about seven 
hundred men, he spiked his cannon, and, destroying his military 
stores, retreated to his head-quarters at Frederica. 

On the first prospect of an invasion, Gen. Oglethorpe had ap- 
plied to the governor of South Carolina for assistance ; but the 
Carolinians, fearing for the safety of their own territory, and not 
approving of Gen. Oglethorpe's management in his late expedi- 
tion against St. Augustine, declined furnishing troops, but voted 
Bupplies. 

In this state of danger and perplexity, the general resorted ta 
stratagem. A French soldier belonging to his army had desert- 
ed to the enemy. Fearing the consequences of their learning^ 
his weakness, he devised a plan by wliich to destroy the credit 
of any information that the deserter might give. 

With this view, he wrote a letter to the French deserter in the 
Spanish camp, addressing him as if he were a sp)"- of the English. 
This letter he bribed a Spanish captive to deliver, in which he 
directed the deserter to state to the Spaniards, that he was 
in a weak and defenceless condition, and to urge them to an 
attack. 

Should he not be able, however, to persuade them to this, he 
wished him to induce them to continue three days longer at 
their quarters, in which time he expected two thousand men, 
and six British men-of-war, from Carolina. The -above letter, 
as was intended, was delivered to the Spanish general, instead 
of the deserter, who immediately put the latter in irons. 

A council of war was called, and, while deliberating upon the 
measures Avhich should be taken, three supply ships, which had 
been voted by Carolina, appeared in sight. Imagining these to 
be the men-of-war alluded to in the letter, the Spaniards, in great 
haste, fired the fort, and embarked, leaving behind them several 
cannon, and a quantity of provisions. By this artful, but unjus- 
tifiable expedient, the country was relieved of its invaders, and 
Georgia, and probably a great part of South Carolina, saved 
from ruin. 

25. In 1752, the colony continuing in a languishing 
condition, although parliament had at different times 
given them nearly one hundred thousand pounds, and 
many complaints having been made against the system 
of regulations adopted by the trustees, they surrendered 
their charter to the crown, upon which the government 
became regal. In 1755, a general court was established. 
26. March 29th, 1744, Great Britain, under 
10* 



114 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 175C. 

George II., declared war against France and Spain, 
The most important event of this war, in America, was 
the capture of Louisburg from the French, by the New 
England colonies, under command of Sir William Pep- 
perell. 

After the peace of Utrecht, in 1713, the French had built 
Louisburg, on the island of Cape Breton, as a security to their 
navigation and fishery, and had fortified it at an expense of five 
millions and a half of dollars. The fortifications consisted of a 
rampart of stone, nearly thirty-six feet in height, and a ditch 
eighty feet wide. There were six bastions, and three batteries, 
with embrasures for one hundred and forty-eight canrion, and six 
mortars. On an island, at the entrance of the harbor, was an- 
other battery of thirty cannon, carrying twenty-eight pounds shot ; 
and at the bottom of the harbor, opposite the entrance, was sit- 
uated the royal battery of twenty-eight forty-two pounders, and 
two eighteen pounders. The entrance of the town, on the land 
eide, was at the west, over a draw-bridge, near which was a cir- 
cular battery, mounting sixteen guns of twenty-four pounds shot. 
These works had been twenty-five years in building, and though 
not entirely completed, were of such strength, that the place was 
sometimes called the " Gibraltar of America." 

The acquisition of this place was deemed eminently 
important to New England, since, while in possession of 
the French, it had furnished a safe and convenient re- 
treat to such privateers as disturbed and captured the 
inhabitants of the colonies employed in the fisheries. 

Impressed with the necessity of measures to secure this for- 
tress. Gov. Shirley, of Massachusetts, had solicited the assistance 
of the British ministry, for the acquisition of Cape Breton. 
Early in January, 1745, before receiving an answer to his letters 
to England, he communicated to the general court, under an 
oath of secrecy, a plan wliich he had formed for an attack on 
Louisburg. To this plan strong objections were urged, and the 
proposal of the governor was at first rejected ; but upon recon- 
sideration, it was carried by a majority of a single voice. Cir- 
culars were immediately addressed to the colonies as far south 
as Pennsylvania, requesting their assistance, and that an embar- 
go might be laid on all their ports. The New England colonies 
only, however, were concerned in the expedition. Of the forces 
raised, Massachusetts furnished three thousand two hundred and 
fifty ; Connecticut five hundred and sixteen ; Rhode Island and 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., 



115 



New Hampshire, each, three hundred. The naval force consist- 
ed of twelve ships and vessels. In two months the army was 
enlisted, victualled, and equipped for service. 

On the twenty-third of March, an express boat, which had 
been sent to Com. Warren, in the West Indies, to invite his co- 
operation, returned to Boston, with advices from him, that, as the 
contemplated expedition was a colonial affair, without orders 
from England, he must excuse himself from any concern in the 
enterprise. This intelligence was peculiarly unwelcome ; but, 
the governor and general concealing the tenor of the advice, the 
army was embarked, and the next morning the fleet sailed. On 
the fourth of April, the fleet and army arrived in safety at Canso. 
where they were joined by the troops from New Hampshire, and 
soon after by those from Connecticut. 

Most unexpectedly to the general. Com. Warren, with his 
fleet, arrived at Canso, having, soon after his advices by the ex- 
press boat to Gov. Shirley, received orders to repair to North 
America, and to concert measures with the governor for his 
majesty's service. Hearing that the fleet had sailed for Canso, 
he proceeded directly for that port. Great was the joy which 
per\'aded the whole fleet and camp, on the arrival of this impor- 
tant auxiliary force. After a short consultation with Gen. Pep- 
perell, Com. Warren sailed to cruise before Louisburg, and^not 
long after, was followed by the fleet and army, which, on the 
thirtieth of April, arrived in Chapearouge bay. The enemy 
were, until this moment, in profound ignorance that any attack 
was meditated against them. 

The sight of tlie transports gave the alarm to the French, 
and a detachment was sent to oppose the landing of the 
troops. But, while the general diverted the attention of the 
enemy by a feint at one place, he was landing his men at 
another. 

The next morning, four hundred of the English marched 
round behind the hills to the north-east harbor, setting fire to all 
the houses and stores, till they came within a mile of the royal 
battery. The conflagration of the stores, in which was a consid- 
erable quantity of tar, concealed the English troops, at the same 
time that it increased the alann of the French so greatly, that 
they precipitately abandoned the royal battery. Upon their 
flight, the English took possession of it, and, by means of a well- 
directed fire from it, seriously damaged the town. 

The main body of the army now commenced the siege. For 
fourteen nights, they were occupied in drawing cannon towards 
the town, over a morass, in which oxen and horses could not be 
used. Incredible was the toil ; but v.^hat could not men accom- 
plish, who had been accustomed to draw the pines of the forests 
for masts.? By the 20th of May, several fascine batteries had 



116 



PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 1756, 



been erected, one of which mounted five forty-two pounders. 
On opening these batteries, they did great execution. 




In the mean time, Cora. Warren captured the Vigilant, a 
French ship of seventy-four guns, and with her five hundred and 
sixty men, together with great quantities of military stores. 
This capture was of great consequence, as it not only increased 
the English force, and added to their military supplies, but as it 
seriously lessened the strength of the enemy. Shortly after this 
capture, the number of the English fleet was considerably aug- 
mented by the arrival of several men-of-war. A combined at- 
tack by sea and land was now determined on, and fixed for the 
18th of June. 

Previously to the arrival of this additional naval force, much 
had been accomplished towards the reduction of the place. Tlie 
inland battery had been silenced ; the western gate of the town 
was beaten down, and a breach effected in the wall ; the circu- 
lar battery of sixteen guns was nearly ruined, and the western 
flank of the king's bastion was nearly demolished. 

Such being the injured state of the works, and perceiving 
preparations making for a joint assault, to sustain which little 
prospect' remained, on the 15th the enemy desired a cessa- 
tion of hostilities, and on the 17th of June, after a siege of forty- 
nine days, the city of Louisburg, and the island of Cape Breton, 
were surrendered to his Britannic majesty. 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 117 

Thus successfully terminated a daring expedition, which had 
been undertaken witliout the knowledge of the mother country. 
The acquisition of the fortress of Louisburg was as useful and 
important to the colonies, and to the British empire, as its re- 
duction was surprising to that empire and mortifying to the 
«ourt of France. 

Besides the stores and prizes which fell into the hands of the 
English, which were estimated at little less than a million ster- 
ling, security v/as given to the colonies in their fisheries ; Nova 
Scotia was preserved, and tJie trade and fisheries of France nearly 
ruined. 

27. The capture of Louisburg roused the court of 
France to revenge. Under the Duke D'Anville, a no- 
bleman of great courage, an armament was despatched 
to America, in 1746, consisting of forty ships of war, 
fifty-six transports, with three thousand five hundred 
men, and forty thousand stands of arms for the use of 
the French and Indians in Canada. The object of this 
expedition was to recover possession of Cape Breton, and 
to attack the colonies. A merciful Providence, how- 
ever, averted the blow, and, by delaying the fleet, and 
afterwards disabling it in a storm, blasted the hopes of 
the enemy. 

Great was the consternation of the colonies, when the news 
arrived that the French fleet Avas near the American coast, 
and greatly increased, on learning that no English fleet was in 
quest of it. 

Several ships of this formidable French fleet were damaged 
by storms ; others were lost, and one forced to return to Brest, on 
account of a malignant disease among her crew. Two or three 
only of the ships, with a few of the transports, arrived at Che- 
bucto, now Halifax. Here the admiral died, through mortifica- 
tion ; or, as some say, by poison. The vice-admiral came to a 
similar tragical deatii, by running himself through the body. 
That part of the fleet that arrived, sailed with a view to attack 
Annapolis; but a storm scattered them, and prevented the ac- 
complishment of this object, 

28. In April, 1748, preliminaries of peace were 
signed between France and England, at Aix la Chapelle, 
soon after which hostilities ceased. The definitive 
treaty was signed in October. Prisoners on all sides 



118 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO 175&. 

were to be released without ransom, and all conquests 
made during the war were ta be mutuaUy restored. 

NOTES. 

29. Manners of the Colonists. The colonies 
v/ere now peopled with inhabitants, by far the greater 
part of whom were born and educated in America. And 
jlthough the first settlers were collected from most, or 
ail, the countries of Europe, and emigrants from various 
uations continued to flock to America, still we may ob- 
-orve, during this period, a gradual assimilation of na- 
tional manners and character. The peculiarities of 
each class became less distinct by intercourse with the 
tUhers, and every succeeding generation seemed to ex- 
..'ibit less strikingly those traits which distinguished 
liie preceding. 

Althougli this is true with respect to the American colonies 
■jenerally, there were some exceptions. Some villages, or terri- 
■r.ries, being settled exclusively by emigrants speaking a different 
'. tnguage from that generally spoken — as the Germans, for ex- 
•' uple — or entertaining some peculiar religious notions — as the 
Vv,uakers — still preserved their own peculiar manners. 

But, in attempting to ascribe some general ciiaracter to the 
>eople of the colonies during this period, we might consider them, 
■ '., during our second period, on the whole, exhibiting three va- 
-eties ; viz. the rigid Puritan English of the north, the Dutch in 
.■>ew York, and the luxurious English of the south. The aus- 
t'rity of the north Vt^as, however, much relaxed. Tlie elegant 
. irieties of life, which before had been prohibited, were tol-erated,. 
.. )d the refinements of polished society appeared among the higlier 
.! isses. The strong .lines of Dutch manners^ in New York were 
.•')wly disappearing, under an English government, and l>y moans 
•i' the settlement of English among them. The manners of the 
• aith were assuming an aspect pf more refineinent, ixirticularly 
..iiong the higher classes, but showed little other change. 

30. Religion. During this period^ the spirit of re- 
!gious bigotry and intolerance may be observed to have 
•nated in a very considerable degree. The conduct of 
.:iOse sects, which had called forth those severe and un- 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 119 

justifiable restrictions upon the freedom of religious wor- 
ship, had become less offensive and exceptionable; an 1 
at the close of this period, religious persecution hai 
ceased in all the colonies, and the rights of conscience 
were generally recognized. 

In 1C92, the Mcnnonitcs were introduced into Pennsylvania, 
^nd settled at Germantown. Their increase, however, has beei 
■small. 

In 1719, the Tunkcrs, or General Baptists, arrived at Phil;' - 
delphia, and dispersed themselves into several parts of Penn- 
sylvania. 

In 1741, the Moravians were introduced into America, hy 
Count Zinzendorf, and settled at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 
Regularity, industry, ingenuity, and economy, are characteristi-. 
of this people. They have considerably increased, and are a re- 
spectable body of Christians. 

The Gcrvuin Lutherans were first introduced into the Ameri- 
can colonies during this period, and settled principally in Penii- 
sylvania and New York. 

Episcopacy was considerably extended during this period. In 
1693, it was introduced into New York ; into New Jersey aiKi 
Rhode Island in 1702; into South Carolina in 1703, by law; in 
Connecticut in 1704. 

In 1708, the Saybrook Platform was formed by a synod con: • 
posed of Congregational ministers, under authority of the legii - 
lature of Connecticut. 

About the year 1737, a revival of religion very extensively pr< - 
vailed in New England. At this time, great numbers unitti 
themselves to the church, and testified, by their conduct throug ; 
life, the genuineness of their profession. 

The celebrated Whitfield came to America about the year 1740. 
and produced great religious excitement by his singular power ; 
of pulpit eloquence. He did not found any peculiar sect in tlii ^ 
country, although he gave rise to that of the Calvinistic MetlioU- 
ists in England. 

31, Trade anb Commerce. Although the trade of 
the colonies began to feel the restrictions imposed upoi 
it by the mother country, still it steadily increased dur- 
ing this period. 

From the very commencement of the colonies, the mother 
-country was not without her jealousies respecting their increa>*- > 
in population, trade, and manufactures. Inquiries on these poin*'^ 
were instituted, and opportunities sought to keep in check tlj-- 
spirit of colonial enterprise. Laws were enacted from time t-) 
time, desigi*ed and calculated, not only to make the colonies de- 



120 PERIOD III. — 1689 TO I75G, 

pend on the mother country for her mantifactui-es, but niso to 
limit their trade and commerce, and keep them in safe subjec- 
tion to England. 

As illustrating this course of policy, we may notice several 
laws of parliament. In 3732, an act v/as passed, prohibiting 
'* the exportation of hats out of the plantations of America, and 
to restrain the number of apprentices taken by hat-makers." So 
also the act of 1750 prohibited, on penalty of two hundred 
pounds, ''the erection of any mill forslittin^g or rolling of iron, oe 
any plating forge to work with a tilt hammer ; or any furnace for 
making steel, in any of the colonics." At the same time, en- 
couragement was given to export pifr and har iron to England for 
her manufactories. In like manner was prohibited the exporta- 
tion from one province to another by water, and even the car- 
riage by land, on horseback, or in a cart, of all wools and wool- 
len goods of the produce of America. The colonies were also 
compelled by law to procure many articles from England, which 
they could have purchased twenty per cent, cheaper in other 
markets. 

But, notwithstanding these restrictions, trade and commerce 
gradually and steadily increased. To England the colonies ex- 
ported lumber of all sorts, hemp, flax, pitch, tar, oil, rosin, cop- 
per ore, pig and bar iron, whale fins, tobacco, rice, fish, indigo, 
flaxseed, beeswax, raw silk, &c. They also built many vessels, 
which were sold in the mother country. 

But the importation of goods from England, in consequence 
of the course pursued by the British government, was still much 

freater than the amount of tlie exports to England. In 1728, Sir 
Vilham Keith stated that the colonies then consumed one sixth 
part of all the woollen manufactures exported from Great Britain, 
and more than double tliat value in linen and calicoes ; also great 
quantities of English manufactured silks, small wares, household 
furniture, trinkets, and a very considerable value in East India 
goods. From 1739 to 175G, this importation of goods from Eng- 
land amounted to one million of pounds sterling annually, on an 
average. 

But, if the amount of imports from Great Britain was thua 
more than the colonies exported thither, they would fall in debt 
to England. How did they pay this balance of trade against 
them ? It was done by gold and silver obtained chiefly from the 
West India settlements, to which they exported lumber, fish of 
an inferior quality, beef, pork, butter, horses, poultry, and other 
live stock, an inferior kind of tobacco, coi'n, cider, apples, cab 
bages, onions, &c. They built also many small vessels, which 
found a ready market. 

The cod and whale fisheries were becoming considerable ; they 
were principally carried on by New England. The codfish were 
sold in Spain, France, England, tlie West Iiwiies, &€. ; and the 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 121 

money obtained for them aided the colonies in paying the balance 
of trade against them in England. 

3:2. Agriculture. Agriculture, during this period, 
was greatly improved and extended. Immense tracts 
of forests were cleared, and more enlightened modes of 
husbandry were introduced. The number of articles 
produced by agriculture was also increased. 

The colonies now not only raised a sufficient supply of food for 
their own use, but their exports became great. Wheat and other 
English grain were the principal products of the middle colonies ; 
grain, beef, pork, horses, butter, cheese, &c., were the chief prod- 
ucts of the northern colonies ; tobacco, wheat, and rice, were 
the principal products of the south. 

In the south, also, large numbers of swine ran wild in the 
forests, living upon mast. These were taken, salted down, and 
exported to a considerable extent. 

33. Arts and Manufactures. Under the head of 
Commerce, we have noticed the obstacles interposed by 
Great Britain to the progress of arts and manufactures. 
Notwithstanding these, however, the coarser kinds of 
cutlery, some coarse cloths, both linen and woollen, hats, 
paper, shoes, household furniture, farming utensils, &c., 
were manufactured to a considerable extent ; not suffi- 
cient, however, to supply the inhabitants. All these man- 
ufactures were on a small scale ; cloths were made in 
some families, for their own consumption. 

The art of printing made considerable progress during this pe- 
riod. A newspaper, the first in North America, called The Bos- 
ton Weekly JVcics-Letter, was established in 1704. Before the close 
of this period, ten others were established — four in New England ; 
two in New York ; two in Pennsylvania ; one in South Carolina ; 
and one in Maryland. The number of books published was also 
considerable, although they were executed in a coarse style, and 
were generally books of devotion, or for the purposes of ed- 
ucation. 

34. Population. At the expiration of our second 
period, we estimated the population of the English colo- 
nies in America at 200,000 souls. About the close of 
our third period, Franklin calculated that there were 
then one million or upwards, and that scarce 80,000 had 
been brought over sea. 

11 



122 PERIOD III. — 16S9 TO 1576. 

This estimate of the population of America very nearly accords 
with an estimate made in London, from ^- authentic authorities," 
May, 1755, which is as follows :-«- 



New Hampshire 30,000 

Massachusetts Bay. 220,000 

R. Islam! and Provi- } oc nno 

dence Plantations 5 •** ^^'^^ 

Connecticut 100,000 

New England 385,000 

Mid. and S. Colonies 661,000 



Total 1,046,000 



New York 100,00a 

The Jerseys 60,000 

Pennsylvania 250,000 

Maryland 85,000 

Virginia 85,000 

North Carolina 45,000 

South Carolina 30,000 

Georgia 6,000 

661,000 



35. Education. The southern colonies continued to 
treat the subject of education differently from the north- 
ern colonies, in this respect; in the north, one of the 
first objects of legislation was to provide for the educa- 
tion of all classes ; in the south, the education of the 
higher classes only was an object of public attention. 

The first public institution for the purposesof education, which 
succeeded in the south, was that of William and Mary College, 
in Virginia, established in 1692, by the sovereigns whose names 
it bears. 

Yale College, in Connecticut, was commenced in 1700 ; eleven 
of the principal irdnisters in the neighboring towns, who had been 
appointed to adopt such measures as they should deem expedient, 
on the subject of a college, agreeing to found one in the colony. 
The next year, the legislature granted them a charter. The col- 
lege was begun at Saybrook, where was held the first commence- 
ment, in 1702. In 1717, it was removed to New Haven, where 
it became permanently established. It was named after the Hon. 
Elihu Yale, governor of the East India Company, who was its 
principal benefactor. 

The college at Princeton, New Jersey, called '• Nassau Hall," 
was first founded by charter from John Hamilton, Esq., president 
of the council, about the year 1738, and was enlarged by Gov 
Belcher, in 1747. 

REFLECTIONS. 

36. The history of this period presents the North American 
colonies to our view, at the same time that they were visited with 
cruel and desolating wars, still advancing in population, extend- 
ing their commerce, forming new settlements, enlarging the 
boundaries of their territory, and laying wider and deeper the 



WARS OF WILLIAM III., ANNE, AND GEORGE II. 123 

foundations of a future nation. And, while we look back, with 
admiration, upon the hardy spirit which carried our ancestors 
through scenes so trying, and enabled them to reap prosperity 
from the crimsoned fields of battle and bloodshed, let us be thank- 
ful that our lot is cast in a happier day ; and that, instead of shar- 
ing in the perils of feeble colonies, we enjoy the protection and 
privileges of a free and powerful nation. 

In addition to the reflections subjoined to the account which 
we have given of the " Salem witchcraft," we may add another, 
respecting the danger oijjopular delusion. In that portion of our 
history, we see a kind of madness rising up, and soon stretching 
its influence over a whole community. And such, too, is the 
pervading power of the spell, that the wise and ignorant, the 
good and bad, are alike subject to its control, and, for the time, 
alike incapable of judging or reasoning aright. Now, whenever 
we see a community divided into parties, and agitated by some 
general excitement ; when we feel ourselves borne along on one 
side or the other, by the popular tide, — let us inquire whether we 
are not acting under the influence of a delusion, which a few 
years, perhaps a few months, or days, may dispel and expose. 
Nor, at such a time, let us regard our sincerity, or our conscious- 
ness of integrity, or the seeming clearness and certainty of our 
reasonings, as furnishing an absolute assurance that, after all, we 
do not mistake, and that our opponents are not right. 

Another reflection of some importance, and one that may serve 
to guard us against censuring, too severely, the wise and good, is 
suggested by this account of the '^ Salem witchcraft." It is this, 
that the best men are liable to err. We should not, therefore, 
condemn, nor should we withhold our charity from, those who 
fall into occasional error, provided their characters are, in other 
respects, such as to lay claim to our good opinion. 



UNITED STATES. 

PERIOD IV. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

Extending from the Declaration of War hy England 
against France, 1756, to the Commencement of Hos- 
tilities hy Great Britain against the American Colo- 
nies, in the Battle of Lexington, 1775. 

Sec. 1. The war which ended in the treaty of Aix la 
Chapelle, in 1748, {Period III. 28.) had been highly 
injurious to the American colonies ; and the return of 
peace found them in a state of impoverishment and dis- 
tress. Great losses had been sustained in their com- 
merce, and many of their vessels had been seized on 
the coast by privateers. Bills of credit, to the amount 
of several millions, had been issued to carry on the war, 
which they were now unable to redeem ; and the losses 
of men in various expeditions against the enemy, had 
seriously retarded the increase of population. 

The expenses of the northern colonies, including New Eng- 
land and New York, during the war. were estimated at not less 
than one million pounds sterling. Massachusetts alone is said to 
have paid half this sum, and to have expended nearly four hun- 
dred thousand pounds in the expedition against Cape Breton. 
The expenses of Carolina, for the war in that quarter, were not 
less in proportion. 

To supply the deficiency of money, bills of credit were issued 
to the amount of several millions. The bills issued by Massa- 
chusetts, during two or three years of the war, amovmted"to be- 
tween two and three millions currency ; while, at the time of 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 125 

their emission, five or six hundred pounds were equal to only one 
hundred pounds sterling. Before the complete redemption of these 
bills, says Dr. Trumbull, in those colonies where their credit was 
best supported, the depreciation was nearly tiventi/for cnic. 

The losses sustained by the colonies, in the fall of many of 
their bravest men, during this and the last Indian war, were se- 
verely felt. From 1722 to 1749, a period of twenty-seven years, 
the losses of Massachusetts and New Hampshire equalled 
the whole increase of their numbers ; whereas, in the natural 
course of population, their numbers would have more than 
doubled. 

Such was the general state of the colonies, at the close 
of this war. The return of peace was hailed as the 
harbinger of better days, and the enterprising spirit of 
the people soon exerted itself to repair the losses which 
had been sustained. Commerce, therefore, again flour- 
ished ; population increased ; settlements were extended ; 
and the public credit revived. 

2. Scarcely, however, had the colonies begun to reap 
the benefits of peace, before the sound of approaching 
war filled the land with general anxiety and distress. 
After an interval of only about eight years, from 1748 
to May 18th, 1756, Great Britain, under George 11., 
formally declared war against France ; which declara- 
tion was reciprocated, on the 9th of June, by a similar 
declaration, on the part of France, under Louis XV., 
against Great Britain. 

The general cause, leading to this war, commonly 
called the " French and Indian loar^^ was the alleged 
encroachments of the French upon the frontiers of the 
colonies in America, belonging io the English crown. 

These encroachments were made upon Nova Scotia in the east, 
which had been ceded to Great Britain by the 12th article of the 
treaty of Utrecht, but to a considerable part of which the French 
laid claim, and, in several places, were erecting fortifications. In 
the north and west, they were settling and fortifying Crown 
Point, and, in the west, were not only attempting to complete a 
line of forts from the head of the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, 
but were encroaching far on Virginia. 

Tlie circumstance which served, to open the ivar, was 
the alleged intrusion of the Ohio Company upon the 
II* 



126 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

territory of the French. This company consisted of a 
number of influential men, from London and Virginia, 
v/ho had obtained a charter grant of six hundred thou- 
sand acres of land, on and near the river Ohio, for the 
purpose of carrying on the fur trade" with the Indians-, 
and of settling the country. 

The governor of Canada had early intelligence of the 
transactions of this company. Fearing that their plan 
would deprive the French of the advantages of the fur 
trade, and prevent communications between Canada and 
Louisiana, he addressed a letter to the governors of New 
York and Pennsylvania, claiming the country east of the 
Ohio to the Alleganies, and forbidding the further en- 
croachments of the English traders. 

As yet, the Pennsylvanians had principally managed the trade 
with the Indians. But, being now about to be deprived of it by 
the Ohio Company, which was opening a road to the Potomac, 
they excited the fears of the Indians, lest their lands should be 
taken from them, and gave early intelligence to the French, of the 
designs and transactions of the company. 

The French governor soon manifested his hostile determina- 
tion, by seizing several of the English traders, and carrying them 
to a French port on the south of Lake Erie. — The Twightwees, a 
tribe of Indians in Ohio, near Miami river, among whom the Eng- 
lish had been trading, resented the seizure, and, by way of re- 
taliation, took several French traders, and sent them to Pennsyl- 
vania. 

In the mean time, a communication was opened along 
the French creek and Allegany river, between Fort 
Presqu' He, on Lake Erie, and the Ohio ; and French 
troops were stationed at convenient distances, secured 
by temporary fortifications. 

The Ohio Company, thus threatened with the de- 
struction of their trade, were loud in their complaints. 
Dinwiddle, lieutenant-governor of Virginia, to whom 
these complaints were addressed, laid the subject before 
the assembly, which ordered a messenger to be despatch- 
ed to the French commandant on the Ohio, to demand 
the reasons of his hostile conduct, and to summon the 
French to evacuate their forts in that region. 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 127 

3. The person intrusted with this service was George 
Washington, who, at the early age of twenty-one, thus 
stepped forth in the public cause, and began that line of 
services which ended in the independence of his 
country. 

The service to which Washington was appointed, was 
both difficult and dangerous ; the place of his destination 
being above four hundred miles distant, two hundred of 
which lay through a wilderness inhabited only by In- 
dians. He arrived in safety, however, and delivered a 
letter from Gov. Dinwiddie to the commandant. Having 
received a written answer, and secretly taken the di- 
mensions of the fort, he returned. The reply of the 
commandant to Gov. Dinwiddie was, that he had taken 
possession of the country, under the direction of the gov- 
ernor-general of Canada, to whom he would transmit his 
letter, and whose orders only he would obey^ 

4. The British ministry, on being made acquainted 
with the claims, conduct and determination of the 
French, without a formal declaration of war, instructed 
the Virginians to resist their encroachments by force of 
arms. Accordingly, a regiment was raised in Virginia, 
which was joined by an independent company from 
South Carolina; and with this force, Washington, to whom 
the expedition was intrusted, marched, early in April, 
1754, towards the Great Meadows, lying within the dis- 
puted territories, for the purpose of expelling the French. 
The conduct of Washington and his troops was highly 
creditable to them ; but, the French forces being consid- 
erably superior, he was obliged to capitulate, with the 
privilege, however, of returning with his troops to Vir- 
ginia. 

On his arrival at the Great Meadows, he learned that the 
French had dispossessed some Virginians of a fortification, which 
the latter were erecting for the Ohio Company, at the confluence 
of the Allegany and Monongahela, and were engaged in com- 
pleting it, for their own use. He also learned, that a detachment 
from that place, then on its march towards the Great Meadows, 
had encamped for the night in a low and retired situation. 



128 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

Under the guidance of some friendly Indians, and under cov- 
er of a dark and rainy night, this party he surprised and captured. 
Having erected, at the Great Meadows, a small stockade fort, 
afterwards called Fort Necessity, he proceeded, with his force, 
increased by troops from Ncm' York, and others from South Car- 
olina, to nearly four hundred men, towards the French fort, du 
Quesne, where Pittsburg now stands, with the intention of dis- 
lodging the enemy. Hearing, however, that the enemy was 
approaching, he retired to Fort Necessity, where, not long after, 
he was attacked by a large body of troops from Fort du Quesne, 
under command of M. de Villier. After an engagement of sev- 
eral hours, de Villier demanded a parley, and ottered terms of 
capitulation. These terms wei-e rejected ; but during the night, 
July 4th, articles were signed, by which Washinoton was permit- 
ted, upon surrendering the fort, to march with his troops, unmo- 
lested, to Virginia. 

Such was the beginning of open hostilities, which 
were succeeded by a series of other hostilities charac- 
terized by the spirit and manner of war, akhough the 
formal declaration of war was not made until 1756, two 
years after, as already mentioned. 

5. 1 he British ministry, perceiving war to be inevita- 
ble, recommended to the British colonies in America to 
unite ill some scheme for their common defence. Ac- 
cordingly, a convention of delegates from Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland, with the lieutenant-governor and coun- 
cil of New York, was held at Albany, in 1754, and a 
plan of union adopted, resembling, in several of its 
features, the present constitution of the United States. 

But the plan met M^ith the approbation neither of the 
provincial assemblies, nor the king's council. By the 
former, it was rejected, because it gave too much power 
to the crown ; and by the latter, because it gave too 
much power to the people. 

According to this plan, a grand council was to be formed, of 
members chosen by the provincial assemblies, and sent from all 
the colonies ; which council, with a governor-general, appointed 
by the crown, and having a negative voice, should be empower- 
ed to make general laws, to raise money in all the colonies for 
their defence, to call forth troops, regulate trade, lay duties, 
&.C. &c. 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 129 

The plan, thus matured, was approved and signed, on the 
fourth of July, the day that Washington surrendered Fort Ne- 
cessity, and twenty-two years before the declaration of Indepen- 
dence, by all the delegates, excepting those fi'om Connecticut, 
who objected to the negative voice of the governor-general. 

One cii;cumstance, in the history of this plan, deserves here to 
be recorded, as evincing the dawning spirit of the revolution. 
Although the plan was rejected by the provincial assemblies, 
they declared, without reserve, that, if it were adopted, they 
would undertake to defend themselves from the French, without 
assistance from Great Britain. They required but to be left to 
employ their supplies in their pwn way, to effect their security 
and predominance. 

The mother country was too jealous to trust such powers with 
the Americans; but she proposed another plan, designed to lay 
a foundation for the perpetual dependence and slavery of the 
colonies. This plan was, that the governors, with one or more 
of their council, should form a convention to concert measures 
for the general defence, to erect fortifications, raise men, &c. 
&c., with power to draw upon the British treasury, to defray all 
charges ; Avhich charges should be reimbursed by taxes upon the 
colonics, imposed hy acts of parliament. But to allow the British 
government the right of taxation — to lay the colonies under the 
obligations of a debt to be thus liquidated — to subject themselves 
to the rapacity of king's collectors, we scarcely need say, was a 
proposal which met with universal disapprobation. 

6. Early in the spring of 1755, preparations were 
made, by the colonies, for vigorous exertions against the* 
enemy. Four expeditions were planned: — one against 
the French in Nova Scotia ; a second against the French 
on the Ohio; a MhyZ against Crown Point ; and a/bz/r^A 
against Niagara. 

7. The expedition against Nova Scotia, consisting of 
three thousand men, chiefly from Massachusetts, was 
led by Gen. Monckton and Gen. Winslow. With these 
troops, they sailed from Boston, May 20th, and on t?ie 
1st of June, arrived at Chignecto, in the bay of Fundy. 
After being joined by three hundred British troops, and 
a small train of artillery, they proceeded against Fort 
Beau Sejour, which, after four days' investment, surren- 
dered. The name of the fort was now changed to that 
of Cumberland. From this place Gen. Monckton pro- 
ceeded far her into the country, took other forts in pos- 



180 PERIOD IV. — 175G TO 1775. 

session of the French, and disarmed the inhabitants. 
By this successful expedition, the English possessed 
themselves of the whole country of Nova Scotia, a part 
of which, as already noticed, {Sec. 2,) the French claim- 
ed : its tranquillity was restored, and placed upon a per* 
manent basis. 

In this whole expedition, the Enghsh lost but twenty men. 
Large quantities of provisions and military stores fell into their 
hands, with a number of valuable cannon. 

The French force in Nova Scotia being subdued, a difficult 
question occurred, respecting the disposal of the inhabitants. 
Fearinor that they might join the French in Canada, whom they 
had before furnished with intelligence, quarters, and provisions, 
it was determined to disperse them among the English colonies. 
Under this order, one thousand nine hundred were thus dis- 
persed. 

8. The expedition against the French o?i the OJiio, 
was led by Gen. Braddock, a British officer, who com- 
menced his march from Virginia, in June, with about 
two thousand men. Apprehensive that Fort du Cluesne, 
against which he was proceeding, might be reinforced, 
Braddock, with one thousand two hundred selected 
troops, hastened his march, leaving Col. Dunbar to fol- 
low more slowly, with the other troops and the heavy 
baggage. 

On the 8th of July, Braddock had advanced sixty 
miles forward of Col. Dunbar, and within twelve or four- 
teen miles of Fort du duesne. Here he was advised by 
his officers to proceed with catltion, and was earnestly 
entreated by Col. Washington, his aid, to permit him to 
precede the army, and guard against surprise. Too 
haughty and self-confident to receive advice, Braddock, 
without any knowledge of the condition of the enemy, 
continued to press towards the fort. About twelve 
o'clock, July 0th, when within seven miles of the fort, 
he was suddenly attacked by a body of French and In- 
dians. Although the enemy did not exceed five hun- 
dred, yet, after an action of three hours, Braddock, un- 
der whom five horses had been killed, was mortally 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 131 

wounded, and his troops defeated. The loss of the Eng- 
lish army was sixty-four out of eighty-five officers, and 
nearly half the privates. 

This unfortunate defeat of Gen. Brad dock is to be ascribed to 
his imprudence and too daring intrepidity. Had he attended to 
those precautions which were recommended to him, he would not 
have been thus ambuscaded ; or had he wisely retreated from a 
concealed enemy, and scoured the thicket with his cannon, the 
melancholy catastrophe might have been avoided. But, obstinate- 
ly riveted to the spot on which he was first attacked, he vainly 
continued his attempt to form his men in regular order, although, 
by this means, a surer prey to the enemy, until, being himself 
wounded, he could no longer be accessary to the destruction of 
human life. 

A remarkable fact in the history of this affair remains to be 
told. Gen. Braddock held the provincial troops in great contempt. 
Consequently, he kept the Virginians, and other provincials, who 
were in the action, in the rear. Yet, although equally exposed 
with the rest, far from being affected with the fears that disorder- 
ed the regular troops, they stood firm and unbroken, and, under 
Colonel Washington, covered the retreat of the regulars, and 
saved them from total destruction. 

The retreat of the army, after Braddock was wounded, was 
precipitate. No pause was made until the rear division was met. 
This division, on its junction with the other, was seized with the 
same spirit of flight with the retreating, and both divisions pro* 
ceeded to Fort Cumberland, a distance of nearly one hundred and 
twenty miles from the place of action. 

Had the troops, even here, recovered their spirits and returned, 
success might still have crowned the expedition. At least, the 
army might have rendered the most important service to the 
cause, by preventing the devastations and inhuman murders, per 
petrated by the French and Indians, during the summer, on the 
western borders of Virginia and Pennsylvania. But, instead of 
adopting a course so salutary and important, Col. Dunbar, leav- 
ing the sick and wounded at Cumberland, marched with his troops 
to Philadelphia. 

9. The expedition against Croion Point was led by 
Gen. William Johnson, a member of the council of New 
York ; and although it failed as to its main object, yet its 
results diffused, exultation through the American colo- 
nies, and dispelled the gloom which followed Braddock's 
defeat. 

The army under Johnson arrived at the south end of Lake 
George the latter part of August. While here, intelligence was 



132 PERIOD IV.— »1756 TO 1775. 

received that a body of the enemy, two thousand in number, had 
landed at Southbay, now Wldtehall, under command of Baron 
Dieskau, and were marching towards Fort Edward, for the pur 
pose of destroying the provisions and military stores there. 

At a council of war, held on the morning of September 8th, it 
was resolved to detach a party to intercept the French and save 
the fort. This party consisted of twelve hundred men, com- 
manded by Col. Ephraim Williams, of Deerfield, Massachusetts, 
Unfortunately, this detachment was surprised by Dieskau, who 
was lying in ambush for them. After a most signal slaughter, 
in which Col. Williams, and Hendrick, a renowned Mohawk 
sachem, and many other officers, fell, the detachment was obliged 
to retreat. 

The firing was heard in the camp of Johnson ; and, as it seemed 
to approach nearer and nearer, it was naturally conjectured that 
the English troops were repulsed. Tlie best preparations which 
the time allowed, were made to receive the advancing foe. 
Dieskau, with his troops, soon appeared, and commenced a spirited 
attack. They were received, however, with so much intrepidity 
— the cannon and musketry did so much execution among their 
ranks — that the enemy retired in great disorder, having expe- 
rienced a signal defeat. The loss of the French was not less 
than seven hundred killed, and three hundred wounded: this 
loss was rendered still more severe to the French by a mortal 
wound which Dieskau himself received, and in consequence of 
which he fell into the hands of the English. The loss of the 
English did not much exceed two hundred. 

Few events, of no greater magnitude, leave stronger impres- 
sions than resulted from the battle of Lake George. Following, 
as it did, the discomfiture of Braddock,it served to restore the 
honor of the British arms, and the tone of the public mind. 

At the time it was meditated to send a detachment, under Col. 
Williams, to intercept Dieskau, the number of men proposed 
was mentioned to Hendrick, the Mohawk chief, and his opinion 
asked. He replied, '• If they are to- fight, they are too few. If 
they are to be killed, they are too many." The number was ac« 
cordingly increased. Gen. Johnson proposed also to divide the 
detachment into three parties. Upon this, Hendrick took three 
sticks, and, putting them together, said to him, '' Put these togeth- 
er, and you cannot break them ; take them one by one, and you 
will break them easily." The hint succeeded, and Hendrick's 
sticks saved many of the party, and probably the whole army, 
from destruction. 

Among the wounded of the French, as already stated, was the 
Baron Dieskau. He had received a ball through his leg, and, 
being unable to follow his retreating army, was found by an Eng- 
lish soldier resting upon the stump of a tree, with scarcely an 
attendant. Dieskau, apprehensive for his safety, was feeling for 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 133 

his watch, in order to give it to the soldier, when the man, sus- 
pecting that he was feeling for a pistol, levelled his gun, and 
wounded him in the hips. He was carried to the camp, and treated 
with great kindness. From the camp he was removed to Albany 
and New York, whence, some time after, he sailed for England, 
where he died. He was a superior officer, possessed of honora 
ble feelings, and adorned with highly polished manners. One 
stain, however, attaches to his character. Before his engage- 
ment with Col. Williams's corps, he gave orders to his troops 
neither to give nor take quarter. 

10. The expedition against Niagara was committed 
to Gov. Shirley, of Massachusetts, whose force amounted 
to two thousand five hundred men. But the season was 
too far advanced before his preparations were completed, 
to effect any thing of importance. After proceeding to 
Oswego, on Lake Ontario, the army being poorly sup- 
plied with provisions, and the rainy season approaching, 
the expedition was abandoned, and the :,troops returned 
to Albany. Thus ended the campaign of 1755. 

11. In the spring of the ensuing year, 1756, Gov. 
Shirley was succeeded in command by Gen. Abercrom- 
bie, until the arrival of the Earl of Loudon, commander- 
in-chief of all his majesty's forces in America. 

The hostilities of the two preceding years had been 
carried on without any formal proclamation of war ; but 
this year, June 9th, as already statedj war was declared 
by Great Britain against France, and, soon after, by 
France against Great Britain, in turn. 

The plan of operations for the campaign of '56 em- 
braced the attack of Niagara and Croivn Point, which 
were still in possession of the French. Both these places 
were of great importance ; the former being the connect- 
ing link in the line of fortifications between Canada and 
Louisiana ; and the latter commanding Lake Cham- 
plain, and guarding the only passage, at that time, into 
Canada. But, important as were these posts, the reduc- 
tion of neither was this year accomplished, nor even at- 
tempted, owing, chiefly, to the great delays of thosp 
who held the chief command. 
12 



134 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

Troops were raised for the expedition against Crown Point, 
amounting to seven thousand, the command of whom was as- 
signed to Maj. Gen. Winslow,of Massachusetts. But his march 
was delayed by obstacles ascribed to the improvidence of Aber- 
crombie. 

After the mortal wound received by Dieskau, at the 
battle of Lake George, the Marquis de Montcalm, an 
able and enterprising officer, succeeded to the command 
of the French forces. In the month of August, this 
officer, with eight thousand regulars, Canadians and In- 
dians, invested the fort at Oswego, on the south side of 
Lake Ontario, — one of the most important posts held 
by the English in America, — and in a few days took it. 
On the receipt of this intelligence, Lord Loudon, who 
had arrived at Albany, and entered upon the command, 
despatched orders to Gen. Winslow, on his march towards 
Crown Point, not to proceed. 

The fall of the fort at Oswego was most unfortunate for the 
English 5 and their loss of men made prisoners, and munitions of 
W'ar, peculiarly severe. By the capture of this post, the enemy 
obtained the entire command of the lakes Ontario and Erie, and 
of the whole country of the Five Nations. Sixteen hundred men 
were made prisoners, and one hundred and twenty pieces of 
cannon were taken, with fourteen mortars, two sloops of war, 
and two hundred boats and batteaux. 

After this disastrous event, all offensive operations 
were, immediately relinquished, although it was then 
three months to the time of the usual decampment of 
the army. Thus, through the inactivity of a man whose 
leading trait was indecision^ not one object of the cam- 
paign was gained, nor one purpose accomplished, 
either honorable or important. 

12. Notwithstanding the failure of the campaign of 
this season, the British parliament made great prepara- 
tions to prosecute the war the succeeding year, 1757. 
In July, an armament of eleven ships of the line and 
fifty transports, with more than six thousand troops, ar- 
rived at Halifax, destined for the reduction of Louisburg. 
The colonies had been raising men for an expedition 
against Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Great was their 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 135 

mortification and disappointment, when they learned 
from the orders of Lord Loudon, that these troops were 
to be employed against Louisburg. Such inconstancy and 
fluctuation appeared beneath the dignity of the com- 
mander-in-chief But they were obliged to submit ; and 
Lord Loudon proceeded to join the armament at Halifax. 

^o dilatory were their measures, however, that, before 
they were ready to sail, Louisburg was reinforced by a 
fleet of seventeen sail, and with troops to make it nine 
thousand strong. On the reception of this intelligence, 
it was deemed inexpedient to proceed, and the expedi- 
tion was abandoned. 

13. While weakness and indecision were marking 
the counsels of the English, the French continued to 
urge on their victories. Montcalm, still commander of 
the French in the north, finding the troops withdrawn 
from Halifax for the reduction of Louisburg, seized the 
occasion to make a descent on Fort William Henry, 
situated on the north shore of Lake George. The gar- 
rison of the fort consisted of three thousand men. With 
a force of nine thousand men, Montcalm laid siege to it. 
After a gallant defence of six days, the garrison surren- 
dered, thus giving to Montcalm the command of the 
lake, and of the western frontier. 

The spirited and protracted defence of the fort, against such 
numbers, reflects the highest honor upon its brave commander, 
Col. Munroe. Six days was the enemy kept at bay, with unabat- 
ed resolution, in full expectation of assistance from Gen. Webb, 
who lay at Fort Edward, only fifteen miles distant, with an army 
of four thousand men. 

The character of Gen. Webb continues sullied by his unpar- 
donable indifference to the perilous situation of his brethren in 
arms at Fort William Henry. It deserves to be known, that Sir 
William Johnson, after very importunate solicitations, obtained 
leave of Gen. Webb to march, with as many as would volunteer 
in the service, to the relief of Munroe. 

At the beat of the drums, the provincials, almost to a man, 
sallied forth, and were soon ready and eager for the march. Af- 
ter being under arms almost all day, what were their feelings 
when Sir William, returning from head-quarters, informed them 
that Gen. Webb had forbidden them to march ! 



136 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

The soldiers were inexpressibly mortified and enraged, and 
their commander did himself no common honor in the tears he 
shed, as he turned from his troops, and retired to his tent. 
• The defence of Fort William Henry was so gallant, that Col. 
Munroe, with his troops, was admitted to an honorable capitula- 
tion. The capitulation, however, was most shamefully broken. 
While the troops were marching out at the gate of the fort, the 
Indians, attached to Montcalm's party, dragged the men from 
their ranks, and, with all the inhumanity of savage feeling, 
plundered them of tlieir baggage, and butchered them in cold 
l)lood. Out of a New Hampshire corps of two hundred, eighty 
were missing. 

It is said that efforts were made by the French to restrain the 
barbarians ; but the truth of the assertion may well be doubted, 
when it is considered that Montcalm's force was at least seven 
thousand French, and yet these barbarians were not restrained. 

14. In 1758, most fortunately for the honor of the 
British arms, and for the salvation of the colonies, a 
change took place in the ministry of England. The 
celebrated Pitt, Lord Chatham, now placed at the head 
of the administration, breathed a new soul into the Brit- 
ish councils, and revived the energies of the colonies, 
weakened and exhausted by a series of ill-contrived and 
unfortunate expeditions. The tide of success now 
turned in favor of the English, who continued, with some 
few exceptions, to achieve one victory after another, un- 
til the whole of Canada surrendered to the British arms. 

Pitt, upon coming into office, addressed a circular to 
the colonial governors, in which he assured them of the 
determination of the ministry to send a large force to 
America, and called upon them to raise as many troops 
as the number of inhabitants would allow. The colonies 
were prompt and liberal in furnishing the requisite sup- 
plies. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hamp- 
shire, unitedly, raised fifteen thousand men, who were 
ready to take the field in May, 

15. Three expeditions were proposed : — the Jirst 
against Louisburg ; the second against Ticonderoga ; the 
third against Fort du duesne.* 

16. On the expedition against Louisburg, Admiral 

* Pronounced Du-Kane. 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 187 

Boscawen sailed from Halifax, May 28th, with a fleet of 
twenty ships of the line, eighteen frigates, and an army 
of fourteen thousand men, under the command of Brig. 
Gen. Amherst, next to whom in command was Gen. 
Wolfe. OiY the 26th of July, after a vigorous resistance, 
this fortress was surrendered, and with it five thousand 
seven hundred and thirty-se'ven prisoners of war, and 
one hundred and twenty cannon, besides which the en- 
emy lost five ships of the line and four frigates. At the 
same time, Isle Royal, St. Johns, with Cape Breton, 
fell into the hands of the English, who now became 
masters of the coast from the St. Lawrence to Nova 
Scotia. 

The surrender of this fortress was a more signal loss to France 
than any which she had sustained since the commencement of 
the war. It greatly obstructed her communications with Cana- 
da, and was powerfully instrumental in hastening the subjuga- 
tion of that country to the British crown. 

17. The expedition against Ticondcroga was conduct- 
ed by Gen. Abercrombie, commander-in-chief in Ameri- 
ca, Lord Loudon having returned to England. An 
army of sixteen thousand men, nine thousand of whom 
were provincials, followed his standard, besides a for- 
midable train of artillery. 

Having passed Lake George, the army proceeded with 
great difficulty towards the fortress. Unfortunately, 
Gen. Abercrombie trusted to others, who were incompe 
tent to the task, to reconnoitre the ground and intrench- 
ments of the enemy, and, without a knowledge of the 
strength of the places, or of the proper points of attack, 
issued his orders to attempt the lines without bringing 
up a single piece of artillery. 

The army advanced to the charge with the greatest 
intrepidity, and for more than four hours maintained the 
attack with incredible obstinacy. 

After the loss of nearly two thousand in killed and 
wounded, the troops were summoned away. The retreat 
was as unhappy as the attack had been precipitate and 
J2* 



133 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

ill-advised. Not. a doubt can rationally exist, that, had 
the sie re been prosecuted with prudence and vigor, the re- 
ductiou of the place would have been easily accomplished 
without so great a waste of human life, as the garrison 
amounted to but little more than three thousand men. 

The piissage of Abercrombie across Lake George, on his way 
with his army to Ticonderoga, was effected by means of one 
thousand and thirty-five boats. The splendor of the military 
parade on the occasion was eminently imposing, and deserves to 
be recorded. A late v/riter, Dr. Dwight. thus describes it : — 

"' The morning was remarkably bright and beautiful ; and the 
fleet moved with exact regularity to the sound of fine martial 
music. The ensigns waved and glittered in the sun-beams, and 
the anticipation of future triumph shone in every eye. Above, 
beneath, around, the scenery was that of enchantment. Rarely 
has the sun, since that luminary was first lighted up in the 
heavens, dawned on such a complication of beauty and magnifi- 
cence." How greatly did all the parade which Vv^as displayed, 
and all the anticipation which was indulged, add to the mortifi- 
cation of the defeat which followed ! 

After his repulse, Gen. Abercrombie retired to his 
former quarters on Lake George. Here, anxious in any 
way to repair the mischief and disgrace of defeat, he 
consented, at the solicitation of Col. Bradstreet, to de- 
tach him, with three thousand men, against Fort Fron- 
tenac, on the north-west side of the outlet of Lake On- 
tario. With these troops, mostly provincial, Bradstreet 
sailed down the Ontario, landed within a mile of the 
fort, opened his batteries, and, in two days, forced this 
important fortress to surrender. Nine armed vessels, 
sixty cannon, sixteen mortars, and a vast quantity of 
ammunition, &c. ^c. fell into his hands. 

18. To dispossess the French at Fort chi Quesne, the 
bulwark of their dominion over the western regions, was 
a third expedition contemplated this year. This en- 
terprise was intrusted to Gen. Forbes, wdio left Phi- 
* ladelphia, in July, but did not arrive at du Quesne 
till late in November. The force collected for the at- 
tack amounted to eight thousand effective' men. An 
attack, however, was needless, the fort having been de- 



FRENCH Ax\D INDIAN WAR. 139 

serted by the garrison the evening before the arrival of the 
army. On taking quiet possession of the place, Forbes, 
in honor of Mr. Pitt, called it Pittsburg. 

Notwithstanding the defeat of Ticonderoga, the cam- 
paign closed with honor to the colonies, and to the na- 
tion in general. The successes of the year prepared 
the v/ay for the still greater achievements of the ensu- 
ing year. 

19. AnothtBr event of this year concurred in bringing 
to pass the fortunate issues of the next. This was a 
treaty of peace and friendship with the Indian nations 
inhabiting between the Apalachian mountains, the Al- 
leganies, and the lakes. This treaty was concluded at 
Easton, sixty miles from Philadelphia. 

The managers of the treaty on the part of Great Britain, were 
the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Sir William 
.]chnson, fnir members of the council of Pennsylvania, six mem- 
bers of assembl}'-, and two agents from New Jersey. 

The tribes represented on this occasion, and with which the 
treaty Avas made, were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagoes, Ca 
yugas. Senecas, Tuscaroras, Nanticoques, and Conays, theTute- 
loes, Chugnuts, Delawares, Unamies, Minisinks, Mohicans, and 
Wappingers. The whole number of Indians, including women 
and children, present, amounted to five hundred. 

20. The campaign of 1759 had for its object the en- 
tire conquest of Canada. For this purpose, it was de- 
termined, that three powerful armies should enter Cana- 
da by different routes, and attack, at nearly the same 
time, all the strong holds of the French in that country. 
These were Ticonderoga and Crown Point, Niagara 
and Quebec. 

21. Gen. Amherst, who had succeeded Abercrombie 
as commander-in-chief, led one division against Ticon- 
deroga, which he reached July 22d. This fortress soon 
surrendered, the principal part of the garrison having re- 
tired to Crown Point. Having strengthened Ticonde- 
roga, the army next proceeded against .this latter place, 
and took quiet possession of it, the enemy having lied 
before their arrival. 



140 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

The French retired to the Isle aux Noix, situated at the north- 
ern extremity of Lake Champlain, v/here they were strongly en- 
camped, with a force of three thousand five hundred men, and a 
powerful artillery. Gen. Amher.st designed to follow up his suc- 
cesses against them in that quarter ; but the want of a suitable 
naval armament prevented. 

22. The second division of the army, commanded by 
Gen. Prideaux, was destined against Niagara, at which 
place they arrived July 6th, without loss or opposition. 
The place was immediately invested : on the 24th of the 
month, a general battle took place, which decided the 
fate of Niagara, and placed it in the hands of the Eng- 
lish. 

Four days previous to this battle, that able and distinguished 
officer, Gen. Prideaux, was killed by the bursting of a cohorn. 
The command devolved on Sir William Johnson, who success- 
fully put in execution the plans of his lamented predecessor. 

23. While the English troops were achieving these 
important victories in Upper Canada, Gen. Wolfe was 
prosecuting the most important enterprise of the cam- 
paign, viz. the reduction of Quebec. Embarking at 
Louisburg with eight thousand men, under convoy of 
Admirals Saunders and Holmes, he landed with his 
troops, in June, on the island of Orleans, a little below 
duebec. 

After several attempts to reduce the place, which 
proved unsuccessful, Wolfe conceived the project of as- 
cending, with his troops, a precipice of from 150 to 200 
feet, by which he would reach the plains of Abraham, 
lying south and west of the city, and thus gain access to 
the enemy, in a less fortified spot. 

This ascent he effected with his army, and ere Mont- 
calm, the French general, was aware of it, the army had 
formed on the heights of Abraham, and were prepared 
for battle. 

Here, on the morning of the 13th of September, Wolfe 
met the French army under Montcalm, and, after a se- 
vere and bloody contest, in which both these brave com- 
manders fell, victory decided in favor of the English. 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. " 141 

A thousand prisoners were taken, and a thousand of the 
enemy were killed. The loss of the English, in killed 
and wounded, did not exceed six hundred. Five days 
after, the city capitulated : the inhabitants were to enjoy 
their civil and religious rights, and remain neutral dur- 
ing the war The city was garrisoned under the com- 
mand of Gen. Murray. 

Determined from the first to take the place, impregnable as it 
was accounted, the measures of Gen. Wolfe were singularly 
bold, and apparently repugnant to all the maxims of war. His 
attention was first drawn to Point Levi, on the southern bank of 
the St. Lawrence, upon which, after taking possession of it, he 
erected batteries. By means of these, he destroyed many houses ; 
but from this point it was soon apparent that little impression 
could be made upon the fortifications of the town. 

Finding it impracticable thus to accomplish his purpose, Wolfe 
next decided on more daring measures. For the purpose of 
drawing Montcalm to a general battle, Wolfe, with his troops, 
crossed the river Montmorenci, and attacked the enemy in their 
mtrenchments. Owing, however, to the grounding of some of 
the boats which conveyed the troops, a part of the detachment 
did not land so soon as the others. The corps that first landed, 
without waiting to form, rushed forw^ard impetuously towards 
the enemy's intrenchments. But their courage proved their 
ruin. A close and well-directed fire from the enemy cut them 
down in great numbers. , 

Montcalm's party had now landed, and were drawn up on the 
beach in order. But it was near night, a thunder-storm was ap- 
proaching, and the tide was rapidly setting in. Fearing the con- 
sequences of delay, Wolfe ordered a retreat across the Montmo- 
renci, and returned to his quarters on the Isle of Orleans. In 
this rencounter, his loss amounted to near six hundred of the 
flower of his army. 

The difficulties of effecting the conquest of Quebec now press- 
ed upon Wolfe with all their force. But he knew the importance 
of taking this strongest hold — he knew the expectations of his 
countrymen — he well knew that no military conduct could shine 
that was not gilded with success. 

Disappointed thus far, and worn down with fatigue and watch 
ing, General Wolfe fell violently sick. Scarcely had he recover- 
ed, before he proceeded to put in execution a plan which had been 
matured on his sick bed. This was to proceed up the river, gain 
the heights of Abraham, and draw Montcalm to a general engage- 
ment. 

Accordingly, the troops were transported up the river about 
nine miles. On the 12th of Sept., one hour after midnight, Wolfe 



142 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

and his troops left the ships, and in boats silently dropped down 
the current, intending to land a league above Cape Diamond, and 
there ascend the bank leading to the station he wished to gain. 
Owing, however, to the rapidity of the river, they fell below the 
intended place, and landed a mile, or a mile and a half, above 
the city. 

The operation was a critical one, as they had to navigate, in 
silence, down a rapid stream, and to find a right place for landing, 
wliicli, amidst surrounding darkness, might be easily mistaken. 
Besides this, the shore was shelving, and the bank so steep and 
lofty, as scarcely to be ascended, even without opposition from an 
enemy. 

About an hour before day, the army began to ascend the preci- 
pice, the distance of one hundred and fifty or two hundred feet, 
almost perpendicular ascent, above wliich spread the plains of 
Abraham. By day-light, Sept. 13th,tliis almost incredible enter- 
prise had been effected — the desired station was attained, the army 
v/as formed, and ready to meet the enemy. 

To Montcalm, the intelligence that the English were occupy- 
ing the heights of Abraham was most surprising. The impossi- 
bility of ascending the precipice he considered certain, and there- 
forehad taken no measures to fortify its line. But no sooner was 
he informed of the position of the English army, than, perceiving 
a battle no longer to be avoided, he prepared to fight. Betweer. 
nine and ten o'clock, the tv/o armies, about equal in numbers, 
met face to face. 

The battle now commenced. Inattentive to the fire of a bod}' 
of Canadians and Indians, one thousand five hundred of whom 
Montcalm had stationed in the cornfields and bushes, Wolfe di- 
rected his troops to reserve their fire for the main body of the 
French, now rapidly advancing. On their approach within forty 
yards, the English opened their fire, and the destruction became 
immense. 

The French fought bravely, but their ranks became disordered, 
and, notwithstandinor the repeated efi^brts of their officers to form 
them, and to renew the attack, they were so successfully pushed 
by the British bayonet, and hewn down by the Highland broad- 
sword, that their discomfiture was complete. 

Durino- the action, Montcalm was on the French left, and Wolfe 
on the English right, and here they both fell in the critical mo- 
ment that^decided the victory. Early in the battle, Wolfe re- 
ceived aball in his wrist; but, binding his handkerchief around it, 
he continued to encourage his men. Shortly after, another ball 
penetrated his groin ; but this wound, although much more se- 
vere, he concealed, and continued to urge on the contest, till a 
third bullet pierced his breast. He was now obliged, though re- 
luctantly, to be carried to the rear of the line. 

Gen. 'Monckton succeeded to the command, but was immcdi 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 143 

alely wounded, and conveyed away. In this critical state of tlio 
action, the command devolved upon Gen. Townshend. Gen. 
Montcalm, fighting in front of his battalion, received a mortal 
wound about the same time, and Gen. Jennezergus, his second 
in command, fell near his side. 

Wolfe died in the field, before the battle was ended; but he 
lived long enough to know that the victory was his. While 
leaning on the shoulder of a lieutenant, who kneeled to support 
him, he was seized with tlie agonies of death : at this moment 
was hoard the distant sound, '• They fly — they fly." The hero 
raised his drooping head, and eagerly asked, '' Who fly.'"' Be 
ing told that it was the French — '• Then," he replied, " I die 
happy," and expired. 

'' This death," says Professor Silliman,'^ has furnished a grand 
and pathetic subject for the painter, the poet and the historian, 
and, undoubtedly, considered as a specimen of 7nere military glory, 
it is one of the most sublime that the annals of war afford." 

Montcalm was every way worthy of being the competitor of 
Wolfe. In talents, in military skill, in personal courage, he was 
not his inferior. Nor was his death much less sublime. He liv- 
ed to be carried to the city, where his last moments were employed 
in writing, \vith his own hand, a letter to the English general, 
recommending the French prisoners to his care and humanity. 
When informed that his wound was mortal, he replied, " I shall 
not then live to see the surrender of Quebec." 

24. The capture of Quebec, which soon followed, 
important as it was, did not immediately terminate the 
war. The French in Canada had still a powerful army, 
and some naval force above the city. 

25. In the ensuing spring, 1760, Monsieur Levi ap- 
proached Q,uebec, from Montreal, assisted by six frigates, 
for the purpose of recovering it from the English. Gen. 
Murray, who commanded the English garrison, marched 
to meet him, with only three thousand men ; and, on the 
28th of April, after a bloody battle, fought at Sillsery, 
three miles above the city, the English army was defeat- 
ed, with the loss of one thousand men, the French hav- 
ing lost more than double that number. 

The English retreated to Quebec, to which the French' 
now laid siege. About the middle of May, an English 
squadron arrived with reinforcements, soon after which 
the French fleet was taken and destroyed, and the siege 
was raised. 



144 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

26. The attention of the English commander-in-chief, 
Gen. Amherst, was now directed to the reduction of 
Montreal, the last fortress of consequence in the posses- 
sion of the French. To effect this, he detached Col. 
Haviland, with a well-disciplined army, to proceed to 
Lake George, Crown Point, and Lake Champlain; 
Gen. Murray was ordered from Q,uebec, with such forces 
as could be spared from the garrison, while Gen. Am- 
herst himself proceeded, with ten thousand men, by Lake 
Ontario, down the river St. Lawrence. 

Generals Amherst and Murray arrived at Montreal the 
same day, Sept. 6th, and were joined by Haviland on 
the day succeeding. While preparing to lay siege to 
the place, the commander of Montreal, M. de Vaudreuil, 
perceiving that resistance would be ineffectual, demand- 
ed a capitulation. On the 8th, Montreal, Detroit, Mich- 
ilimackinac, and all the other places within the govern- 
ment of Canada, were surrendered to his Britannic ma- 
jesty. 

27. Thus ended a war which, from the first hostilities, 
had continued six years, and during which much dis- 
tress had been experienced, and many thousand valuable 
lives lost. Great and universal was the joy that spread 
through the colonies, at the successful termination of a 
contest so long and severe, and public thanksgivings 
were generally appointed, to ascribe due honor to Him 
who had preserved to the colonies their existence and 
liberties. 

28. While the troops were employed in the conquest 
of Canada, the colonies of Virginia and South Carolina 
suffered invasion and outrage from the Cherokees, a 
powerful tribe of savages on the west. But, in 1761, 
they were signally defeated by Col. Grant, and compel- 
led to sue for peace. 

Intelligence being communicated to Gen. Amherst of the dan- 
ger of these colonies, he despatched Gen. Montgomery, with one 
thousand two hundred men, for their protection and relief. 

Being joined by the forces of the province of Carolina on his 
arrival; he immediately proceeded into the country of the Chero 



FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 145 

kees, plundering and destroying their villages and magazines of 
*corn. In revenge, the savages besieged Fort Loudon, on the 
confines of Virginia, which was obliged, by reason of famine, to 
capitulate. The capitulation was, however, broken, and the 
troops, while on their march to Virginia, were assaulted, numbers 
of them killed, and the rest taken captive. 

The next year, 1761, Gen. Montgomery being obliged to re- 
turn, Col. Grant was sent to continue the war. With an army 
of near two thousand six hundred men, he began his march to- 
wards the enemy's country. On the fourth day, the army fell in 
with a body of savages, and, after a strongly-contested battle, put 
<iem to flight. Following up this victory, Col. Grant proceeded 
o destroy their magazines, burn their cornfields, and consume 
heir settlements, until, having eflfectually routed them, he re- 
amed with his troops. Soon after this, the Cherokee chiefs 
same in, and a peace was concluded. 

29. The conquest of Canada having been achieved 
■n 1763, a definitive treaty, the preliminaries of which 
lad been settled the year before, was signed at Paris', 
md soon after ratified by the kings of England and 
France ; by which all Nova Scotia, Canada, the isle of 
Cape Breton, and all other islands in the gulf and river 
St. Lawrence, were ceded to the British crown. 



NOTES. 

30. Manners op the Colonists. The change in 
respect to manners in the colonies, during this period, 
consisted chiefly in a gradual wearing away of national 
distinctions and peculiarities, and a tendency to a still 
greater unity and assimilation of character. The rapid 
increase of wealth, and the frequency of intercourse with 
Europe, began to introduce among the colonies the 
tastes, and fashions, and luxuries, of European countries. 
But the introduction of them produced little enervation 
')f character among the people of America. Such an 
effect was counteracted by the bloody but successful 
war with the French and Indians, and the boundless 
prosperity which seemed to open to the country, and call 
forth its energies. Instead, therefore, of a growing 
weakness in the colonies, we perceive a more vigorous 
13 



146 PERIOD IV. — 175G TO 1775. 

spirit of commercial enterprise pervading the country ; 
a consciousness of political importance becoming con- 
firmed ; and a deep and ardent love of civil liberty 
breathing over the land. 

31. Religion. The only religious sect introduced 
into America, during this period, was that of the Sha- 
kers, or Shaking Qualcers, who arrived from England in 
1774, and settled at Niskayuna, near Albany. 

Ahhough the spirit of religious intolerance had disappeared 
from the colonies, and the Puritanical severity of the north had 
become much softened, yet, until the commencement of the 
French and Indian war, the religious character of the colonies 
had remained essentially the same. But during this war, ivfi- 
delity was extensively introduced into the army, by means of the 
foreign English officers and soldiers who were sent into the 
country. From the army it spread itself into society, and pro- 
duced a considerable relaxation of morals, and a looser adhe- 
rence to correct principle. 

*32. Trade and Commerce. During this period, _ 
trade and commerce made great advances ; the annual 
amount of imports from Great Britain was about two 
and a half millions of pounds sterling, from 1756 to 
1771 ; from 1771 to 1773, it was three millions and a 
half annually, on an average. The annual amount of 
exports of the colonies to Great Britain and elsewhere, 
was about four million pounds sterling, at the close of 
this period. The articles of export, and the nature of 
the trade of the colonies, were essentially the same as 
stated in the Notes to Period III. 

In 17G9, the number of ships employed by Great Britain and 
the colonies, in the trade with the colonies, was one thousand 
and seventy-eight, manned by twenty-eight thousand nine hun 
dred and ten seamen. 

The whale and other fisheries in the colonies had become of 
great importance. In 1775, there were employed in the fishery 
generally, and in carrying the fish to market from New England, 
one thousand four hundred and fifty vessels of all descriptions, 
of one hundred thousand tons burthen, and eleven thousand 
fishermen and seamen. 

33. Agriculture. During this period, a gradual 
progress was made in agriculture ; but it does not need 
any specific notice. 



FRENCH AND INDIAN AVAR. 147 

34. Arts and Manufactures. Great Britain still 
continued to oppose the progress of arts and manufac- 
tures in the colonies, and, therefore, there was but a 
moderate advance of these interests during this period. 

35. Population. At the close of this period, the 
white and black population of the colonies did not vary 
greatly from three millions. 

36. Education. In the year 1769, the college at 
Hanover, New Hampshire, was founded, and called 
Dartmouth College, in honor of the Earl of Dartmouth, 
who was one of its principal benefactors. 

In 1770, the university in Rhode Island, called 
Brown University, was established at Providence. It 
was incorporated in 1764, and first located at Warren. 
At this place the first commencement was held, 1769. 

REFLECTIONS. 

37. The preceding short period of our history presents several 
interesting subjects of reflection. Tlie American colouies be- 
came the theatre of a bloody conflict, attended by all the appal- 
ling features of savage war. Although feebly supported by Eng- 
land, and embarrassed by the want of political union, they sur- 
mounted every obstacle, and compelled the French, their ene- 
mies, to depart from their shores forever. 

But no sooner was this conflict ended, than they began to feel, 
with added weight, the hand of British oppression. Not hum- 
bled, however, by injustice, nor crushed by severities, they 
vigorously put forth their strength in commerce, trade, and 
agriculture. They spread innumerable sails upon the ocean; 
they converted forests into meadows and wheat-fields ; estalj- 
iished seminaries of learning ; founded cities ; and built churches 
to God. 

Nay, more — we see that those very steps which were taken by 
the mother country to cripple the American colonies, were so 
ordered, as to add to their strength. By leaving them to bear 
the war of 1756 almost alone, she showed them that they could 
not expect defence from her ; she taught them the necessity of 
relying upon their own energies ; gave them an opportunity to 
learn the art of war, and to ascertain their own strength. 

The long line of British acts, designed to crush the colonies, and 
to keep them in humble subjection, passed, as they were, in wil- 
ful ignorance of the feelings and power of America, awakened 



143 PERIOD IV. — 1756 TO 1775. 

the spirit of the revolution, and laid the foundation of a gr- eat 
nation. 

What a lesson may tyranny gather from this ! And how thank- 
ful should ice he, that a just Providence is above, who regvvrds 
the affairs of men — who turns aside the trampling heel o> -op- 
pression, and causes the blood wrung out by tyranny to cry t om 
tlie ground, and to call forth the spirit of liberty ! 



UNITED STATES. 
PERIOD V. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 

Extending from the Commencement of Hostilities by 
Great Britain, against the American Colonics, in the 
Battle of Lexington, 1775, to the Disbanding of the 
American Army, at West Point, 1783. 

Sec. 1. On the 19th of April, 1775, was shed at Lex- 
ington, Massachusetts, the first blood in the war of the 
revolution ; a war which terminated in the separation 
of the American colonies from Great Britain, and in 
their change, from this humble character and condition, 
to that of f\*ee and independent states. 

2. The causes which led the colonies to take up arms 
against the mother country, deserve a distinct recital in 
this portion of our history, as they will clearly show the 
justice, the wisdom, and the necessity, of those acts of 
resistance, to which, at that trying period, resort was had. 

" The independence of America," it has been ob- 
served, " was found by those who sought it not." When 
the fathers of this country left Great Britain, they had 
no intention of establishing a government independent 
of that of England. On the contrary, they came out 
as colonists, and expected still to acknowledge allegiance 
to the mother country. For many years, when they 
spoke, or wrote, or thought, of England, it was under 
the filial and affectionate idea of " home.'' " And even 
13* 



150 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

at the commencement of the controversy with Great 
Britain," if we credit those who lived at that time, 
" there existed no desire, nor intention, of becoming in- 
dependent.'' 

For these feelings of afFection for the mother country, the col- 
onies deserve the highest encomium. Causes existed which 
might have justified a less degree of attachment, and were cal- 
culated to produce it. These were the oppression and losses 
which they endured ; the shackles imposed upon them ; the re- 
straints upon their commerce ; the parsimony with which aid 
was administered by the mother country ; the maleadminis- 
tration ; the peculation and arbitrary conduct of the royal gov- 
ernors ; — these things were sufficient, and more than sufficient, 
to stifle every feeling of affection, and shake the last remains 
of their allegiance. 

Yet through all this oppressive subordination ; through the 
calamities of w^ar ; through the attempt to wrest from them their 
charters, and their dearest rights, — they could say, and did say, 
'• England, with all thy faults, I love thee still." 

Nor is it probable that these friendly dispositions of the colo- 
nies would at this time have been withdrawn, had not Great 
Britain interrupted them by a grievous change of policy towards 
the inhabitants, touching the subject of revenue and taxation. 

3. Before the peace of '63, the subject of taxation had 
been wisely let alone. The colonies had been permit- 
ted to tax themselves, without the interference of the par- 
liament. But from and after this period, the ancient sys- 
tem was set aside, and a different and oppressive policy 
adopted. The first act, the avowed purpose of which 
was a revenue from the colonies, passed the parliament, 
September 29th, 1764, the preamble to which began 
thus — " Whereas it is just and necessary that a revenue 
be raised in America, for defraying the expenses of de- 
fending, protecting, and securing the same, we the com- 
mons," &LQ. The act then proceeds to lay a duty on 
" clayed sugar, indigo, coffee, &c. &c., being the produce 
of a colony not under the dominion of his majesty," 

4. This act the colonies could not approve. They 
could not approve of it, because it recognized the ex- 
istence of a right to tax them — a right not founded in 
justice, and which, since their existence, nearly one hun- 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 151 

dred and fifty years, had, until now, seldom been named. 
But the colonies could submit to it, although unpleasant 
and unjust; nor would this act alone have led to perma- 
nent disaffection, had it not been followed by other acts, 
still more unjust and oppressive. 

On the snbject of the right of the British parham^nt to tax the 
colonies, it was asserted, in the mother country, " to be essential 
to the unity, and of course to the prosperity, of the empire, that 
the British parhament should have a right of taxation over every 
part of the royal dominions." In the colonies, it was contend- 
ed, ^' that taxation and representation were inseparable, and that 
they could not be safe, if llieir property might be taken from them 
without their consent." This claim of the right of taxation on 
the one side, and the denial of it on the other, was tJievcry hinge 
on lokiclL the revolution turned. 

5. In accordance with the policy to be observed to- 
wards America, the next year, 1765, the famous stamp 
act passed both houses of parliament. This ordained 
that instruments of writing, such as deeds, bonds, notes, 
&c., among the colonies, should be null and void, unless 
executed on stamped paper, for which a duty should be 
paid to the crown. 

When this bill was brought in, the ministers, and particularly 
Charles Townshend, exclaimed : — 

" These Americans, our own children, planted by our care, 
nourished by our indulgence, protected by our arms, until they 
are grown to a good degree of strength and opulence ; will they 
now turn their backs upon us, and grudge to contribute their 
mite to relieve us from the heavy load which overwhelms us ?" 

Col. Barre caught the words, and, with a vehemence becoming 
a soldier, rose and said : — 

" Planted hy ijojir care! No! your oppression planted them m 
America : they fled from your tyranny into a then uncultivated 
land, where they M^ere exposed to almost all the hardships to 
which human nature is liable, and, among others, to the savage 
cruelty of the eneiny of the country, a people the most subtle, 
and, I take upon me to say, the most truly terrible of any peo- 
ple that ever inliabited any part of God's earth ; and yet, ac- 
tuated by principles of true English liberty, they met all these 
iiardships with pleasure, compared with those they suffered in 
their own country, from the- hands of those that should have 
been their friends. 

*• They novrishcd hj your indulgence ! They grew by your neg- 
lect : as soon as you beg«.n to care about tliera, that care was ex- 



152 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

ercised in sending persons to rule over them in one department 
and another, who were, perhaps, the deputies of the deputies of 
some members of this house, sent to spy out their liberty, to mis- 
represent their actions, and to prey upon them ; men whose be- 
havior, on many occasions, has caused the blood of these sons 
of liberty to recoil wdthin them ; men promoted to the highest 
seats of justice, some of whom, to my knowledge, vrere glad, bv 
going to foreign countries, to escape the vengeance of the laws 
ir. their own. 

^' They protected by your arms ! They have nobly taken up arms 
m your defence, have exerted their \'alor, amidst their constant 
and laborious industry, for the defence of a country whose fron- 
tiers while drenched in blood, its interior parts have yielded for 
your enlargement the little savings of their frugality and the 
fruits of their toils. And believe vie, remember, I this day told you 
so, that the same spirit which actuated that people at first, will 
continue with them still." 

The night after this act passed, Doctor Franklin, who was then 
m London, wrote to Charles Thompson, afterwards secretary of 
the continental congress, '' The sim of liberty is set ; the Jimeri- 
cans must light the lamps of industry aud economy." To which 
Mr. Thompson answered, " Be assured we shall light torches quite 
of another sort" — thus predicting the convulsions which were 
about to follow. 

6. On the, arrival of the news of the stamp act in 
America, a general indignation spread through the 
country, and resolutions were passed against the act, by 
most of the colonial assemblies. 

The assembly of Virginia was the first public body that met, 
after the news of the act reached America. Towards the close 
of the session, five resolutions were introduced into the house of 
burgesses, by Patrick Henry, a young man highly distinguished 
for his moral courage and bold and manly eloquence. The first 
four of these resolutions asserted the various rights and privileges 
claimed by the colonists, and the fifth denied, in no doubtful terms, 
the right of parliament to tax America. 

The debate on these resolutions was animated, and even vio- 
lent. Nothing like them had ever transpired in America. They 
evinced a settled purpose of resistance, and conveyed to the 
ministry of Great Britain a lesson which, had they read wjth un- 
prejudiced minds, might have saved them the fruitless struggle 
of a seven years' war. There were those, in the house of bur- 
gesses, who strongly opposed the resolutions ; but the bold and 
powerful eloquence of Henry bore them down, and carried the 
resolutions, though by a majority of only one. In the heat of the 
debate, he boldly asserted, that the king had acted the part of a 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 153 

tyrant ; and alluding to the fate of other tyrants, he exclaimed, 
'' Crasar had his Bruttis, Charles I. his Cromwell, and George 
III." — here pausing a moment till the cry of " Treason, treason/' 
resounding from several parts of the house, had ended — he added 
— " may profit by their example; if this be treason, make the most 
of it." 

The next day, in the absence of Mr. Henry, the fifth resolution 
was rescinded ; but that and the others had already gone forth 
to the world : by the friends of freedom they were received with 
enthusiasm, and served to raise still higher the justly indignant 
feelings of a people whose rights were disregarded. 

7. In June, Massachusetts recommended the meeting 
of a colonial congress, to consult for the general safety. 
The recommendation being well received by most of the 
colonies, in October, twenty-eight members assembled 
in New York, where they remonstrated against the stamp 
act, and petitioned its repeal. At the same time, they 
drew up a declaration of rights, in which taxation and 
representation were declared to be inseparable. 

This patriotic movement, on the part of the colony of Massa- 
chusetts, was made prior to any intelligence of the proceedings 
of Virginia, and was in accordance with the spirit of liberty 
v/hich early manifested itself in that province. 

Three commissioners were appointed by Massachusetts to at 
tend the proposed congress, and a circular was addressed to cacli 
of the colonies, to appoint commissioners, for the same purpose. 
To this proposal, eight colonies acceded, viz. Rhode Island, Con 
necticut. New York., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware. Ma- 
ryland, and South Carolina — commissioners from each of Avhich 
met those from Massachusetts at New York, on the first Tuesday 
of October. 1765. This was the first general meeting of the 
colonies., Timothy Ruggles, a commissioner from Massachusetts, 
v/as chosen president. 

In their declaration, they acknowledged their allegiance to hia 
majesty, and their willingness to render due honor to the right- 
ful authority of parliament; but they claimed that they hnd iv- 
tercsts, rights, and liberties, as the natural born subjects of his 
majesty ; and that, as they could not be represented in parliament, 
that body had no right to impose taxes on them, without their 
consent. They declared the stamp act, and other acts of parlia 
ment, to have a manifest tendency to subvert the rights and lib 
erties of the colonists. 

This congress adjourned on the 25th of October ; and their pro- 
ceedings were approved by all the members, except Mr. Ruggles 
of Massachusetts, and Mr. Ogden of New Jersey, both of whom 



i 4 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

l.« ft N?w York without signing the address and petitions. The 
c jinmissionersfromSouthCarolinaand Connecticut were limited 
b/ tlieir instructions to make report to their respective legisla- 
tures ; and the committee of New York, who had been admitted 
as membei's, had no authority to apply to the king or parliament. 
The address and petition were, therefore. signed by commission- 
ers from six of the colonies only. The proceedings of the con- 
gress were, however, afterwards sanctioned not only by the as- 
.semblies of South Carolina, Connecticut, and New York, but by 
those of the colonies not therein represented. 

8. The stamp act came into operation on the first day 
of November. But on that day, not a single sheet of all 
the bales of stamps, which had been sent from England, 
could have been found in the colonies of New England, 
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and 
the two Carolinas. They had either been committed to 
the flames, had been reshipped to England, or were safe- 
ly*guarded by the opposition, into whose hands they had 
fallen. A general suspension, or, rather, a total cessa- 
tion of all business, which required stamped paper, was 
the consequence. The printers of newspapers, only, 
continued their occupation ; alleging for excuse, that if 
they had done otherwise, the people would have given 
them such an admonition as they little coveted. None 
would receive the gazettes coming from Canada, as they 
were printed on stamped paper. The courts of justice 
were shut : even marriages were no longer celebrated ; 
and, in a word, an absolute stagnation in all the relations 
of social life was established. 

It would scarcely be possible, by means of language, to con- 
vey an adequate idea of the strong feelings of opposition to this 
most odious act, which pervaded the friends of liberty in Ameri 
ca. As might be expected, these feelings were mnnifested in 
various riotous proceedings, which scarcely admit of a full jus- 
tification. 

As early as the middle of August, on the morning of one day, 
there were discovered two efligies hanging on the branch of an 
old elm, in the southern part of Boston, one of which was de-' 
signed to represent a stamp officer — the other a jack-boot, out of 
which rose a horned head, which appeared to look around. 

The novelty of the spectacle soon attracted a multitude to the 
epo*., which continued to increase all day. Towards evening, 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 156 

the effigies were taken dowrij placed on a bier, and carried in 
funeral procession through several streets — a host following, and 
shouting/'Liberty and property forever I — no stamps !" At length, 
arriving in front of a house, owned by one Oliver, which they 
supposed was intended for a stamp office, they demolished it to 
its ver}'^ foundations. 

From this, they proceeded to his dwelling, and, finding Oliver 
had fled, they destroyed his fences, broke open the doors of his 
dwelling, and greatly injured his furniture. On the following 
day, apprehensive of a second visit from this lawless multitude, 
Oliver gave public notice, that he had forwarded to England his 
resignation as a stamp officer. This becoming known by the 
populace, which had assembled to renew the last night's assault, 
they gave three cheers to Oliver, and departed without doing 
further damage. 

The opposition of the friends of liberty in other places, was 
manifested by proceedings of a similar kind. 

9. About this time, associations were formed in all 
the colonies, under the title of Sons of Liberty, the ob- 
ject of which was, by every practicable means, to oppose 
the unjust and arbitrary measures of the British govern- 
ment. Added to this, societies were instituted, includ- 
ing females as well as males, the members of which re- 
solved to forego all the luxuries of life, rather than be 
indebted to the commerce of England. 

These societies denied themselves the use of all foreign arti- 
cles of clothing : carding, spinning and weaving became the 
daily employment of women of fashion : sheep were forbidden to 
be used as food, lest there should not be found a sufficient supply 
of M^ool ; and to be dressed in a suit of home-spun was to possess 
the surest means of popular distinction. And so true were these 
societies to their mutual compact, that the British merchants and 
manufacturers soon began to feel the necessity of uniting with 
the colonies in petitioning parliament for a repeal of the obnox- 
ious law. Artificers and manufacturers in England were left 
without employment, and thrown upon the charities of the pub- 
lic ; for, even at that early day, this class of people were in a 
great measure dependent on the colonial consumption for their 
support. The warehouses of the merchants were, for the same 
reason, filled with unsalable goods; and the table of the minis- 
ter Avas soon loaded with petitions and remonstrances from all 
the large towns in the kingdom. 

10. Fortunately for the interests both of the colonies 
and of Great Britain, a change took place, about this 



156 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

time, in the administration of England, by which several 
of the friends of America came into power. The Mar- 
quis of R^ockingham was appointed first lord of the 
treasury, in the room of Lord Grenville, and the Duke 
of Grafton and Gen. Conway secretaries of state. To 
this new ministry, it was obvious, that measures must be 
taken either to repeal the odious statute, or to make 
America submit by force of arms. The former being 
deemed the wiser course, a motion was made in parlia- 
ment to that effect. The debate on the question of re- 
peal was long and angry. It was, however, at length 
carried ; but only by accompanying the repealing act by 
one called the declaratory act, the language of which 
was, that parliament have, and of right ought to have, 
power to hind the colonies in all cases whatsoever. 

On the meeting of parUament, Jan. 7th, 1766, his majesty, in 
his speech, spoke of the above opposition of the colonies to the 
stamp act in terms of severe reprehension. On the usual mo- 
tion for an address to the king, Mr. Pitt, the invariable friend of 
the colonies, delivered his famous speech on American liberty, 
m which he declared it to be his opinion that the kingdom 
,'iad no right to tax the colonies ; that he rejoiced that they had 
resisted, and he hoped that they would resist to the last drop of 
iheir blood. 

On the 22d of February, General Conway introduced a motion 
to repeal this act. The debate lasted until three o'clock in the 
morning ; and never was there a debate which excited more 
warmth of interest or more vehemence of opposition. The lob- 
bies of tlie house were crowded with the manufacturers and 
traders of the kingdom, whose anxious countenances plainly 
showed that their fates hung upon the issue. A division at length 
being called for, two hundred and seventy-five rose in support of 
the motion, and one hundred and sixty-seven against it. 

On learning this vote, the transports of the people were un 
governable. Impressed with the conviction that they owed their 
deliverance to Mr. Pitt, their gratitude knew no bounds : when 
4e appeared at the door, in the language of Burke, ''they jump- 
ed upon him, like children on along absent father. They clung 
to him as captives about their redeemer. All England joined in 
his applause." In the house of peers, the opposition to the motion 
was still more obstinate. Some of the dukes, and the whole 
bench of bishops, were for forcing the Americans to submit, with 
Jire and stcord. Opposition, however, was, at length, wearied 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 157 

out ; and the motion to repeal was carried by a majority of thirty- 
four, a compromise having been made by introducing the above 
declaratory act. 

11. The satisfaction of the colonies, on the repeal of 
the stamp act, was sincere and universal. Elevated with 
the idea of having removed an odious and oppressive 
burden, and believing, notwithstanding the declaratory 
act of parliament, that the right of taxing the colonies 
was at length surrendered, better feelings were indulg- 
ed; commercial intercourse was revived, and larger im- 
portations of goods were made than ever. 

On the meeting of the house of representatives of Massachu- 
setts, a vote of gratitude to the king, and of thanks to Mr. Pitt, 
the i)uke of Grafton, and others, was passed by that body. By 
the house of burgesses in Virginia, it was resolved to erect a 
.statue in honor of the king, and an obelisk in honor of all those, 
whether of the house of peers or of the commons, who had dis- 
tinguished themselves in favor of the rights of the colonies. 

12. In July, 1766, the administration of the Marquis 
of Rockingham was dissolved, and a new one formed, 
under the direction of Mr. Pitt, at this time created Earl 
of Chatham. Unfortunately, it was composed of men of 
different political principles, and attached to different 
parties. Among the members of the new cabinet, hos- 
tile to America, was Charles Townshend, chancellor of 
the exchequer. Influenced by Lord Grenville, this lat- 
ter minister, in the year 1767, introduced into parlia- 
ment a second plan for taxing America, viz. by impos- 
ing duties on glass, paper, pasteboard, painters' colors, 
and tea. 

13. During the discussion of this bill, Mr. Pitt was 
confined by indisposition, and hence unable to raise his 
voice against it. Without much opposition, it passed 
both houses, and, on the 29th of June, received the royal 
assent. At the same time were passed tv/o other acts , 
— the one establishing a new board of custom-house 
oliicers in America; and the other restraining the legis- 
lature of the province of New York from passing any 

14 



158 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

act 7oliatcver, until they should furnish the king's troops 
with several required articles. 

14. These three acts reached America at the same 
time, and again excited universal alarm. The first and 
second were particularly odious. The new duties, it 
was perceived, were only a new mode of drawing money 
from the colonies; and the same strong opposition to the 
measure was exhibited, which had prevailed against the 
stamp act. Several of the colonies, through their colo- 
nial assemblies, expressed their just abhorrence of these 
enactments, and their determination never to submit to 
them. 

Soon after the establishment of the new board of custom-house 
officers, at Boston, under the above act, a fit occasion presented 
itself, for an expression of the public indignation. This was the 
arrival at that port, in May, 17G8, of the sloop Liberty, belonging 
to Mr. Hancock, and laden with wines from Madeira. 

During the night, most of her cargo was unladen, and put into 
stores ; on the following day, the sloop was entered at the cus- 
tom-house, with a few pipes only. A discovery being made c' 
these facts, by the custom-house officers, the vessel was seized, 
o.nii by their order removed alongside of the Romney, a ship of 
war, then in harbor. The conduct of the custom-house officers, in 
this transaction, roused the indignant feelings of the Bostonians, 
who unwarrantably attacked the houses of the officers, and even 
assaulted their persons. No prosecutions, however, could be sus- 
tained, from the excited state of public feeling. Finding them- 
selves no longer safe in the town, the officers prudently sought 
protection on board the Romney, and subsequently retired to 
Castle William. 

15. The public excitement was soon after increased 
by the arrival in the harbor of two regiments of troops, 
under the command of Colonel Dalrymple. These were 
designed to assist the civil magistrates in the preserva- 
tion of peace, and the custom-house officers in the exe- 
cution of their functions. 

On the day after its arrival, the fleet was brought to anchor 
near Castle William. Having taken a station which command- 
ed the town, the troops, under cover of the cannon of the ships, 
landed without molestation, and, to the number of upwards of 
700 men, marched, with muskets charged, bayonets fixed, martial 
music, and the usual military parade, on to the common. In tho 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 159 

evening, the selectmen of Boston were required to quarter the 
two regiments in the town ; but they absolutely refused. A tem- 
porary shelter, however, in Fanueil Hall, was permitted to one 
regiment, that was without its camp equipage. The next day, 
the state house, by order of the governor, was opened for the 
reception of the soldiers; and after the quarters were settled, 
two field pieces, with the main guard, were stationed just in its 
front. Every thing was calculated to excite the indignation of 
the inhabitants. The lower floor of the state house, which had 
been used by gentlemen and merchants as an exchange, the 
representatives' chamber, the court house, Fanueil Hall — places 
with which were intimately associated ideas of justice and free- 
dom, as well as of convenience and utility — were now filled with 
regular soldiers. Guards were placed at the doors of the state 
house, through which the council must pass, in going to their 
own chamber. The common was covered with tents. Soldiers 
were constantly marching and countermarching to relieve the 

fuards. The sentinels challenged the inhabitants as they passed. 
'he Lord's day was profaned, and the devotion of the sanctuary 
disturbed by the sound of drums and other military music. There 
was every appearance of a garrisoned town. 

16. In Feb., 1769, both houses of parliament went a 
Btep beyond all that had preceded, in an address to the 
king, requesting him to give orders to the governor of 
Massachusetts — -the spirited conduct of which province 
was particularly obnoxious to the ministry — to take no- 
tice of such as might be guilty of treason, that they might 
be sent to England and tried there. 

A measure more odious to the people of America, or 
more hostile to the British constitution, could not be 
named, than for a man to be torn from his^ country, to 
be tried by a jury of strangers. 

The house of burgesses of Virginia met soon after the official 
accounts of this address were received, and, in a few days, passed 
several spirited resolutions, expressing " their exclusive right to 
tax their constituents, and denying the right of his majesty to 
remove an offender out of the country for trial." The next day, 
the royal governor of that colony sent for the house of burgesses, 
and addressed them laconically as follows : — " Mr. Speaker,- and 
gentlemen of the house of burgesses, I have heard of your re- 
solves, and augur ill of their effects. You have made it my duty 
to dissolve you, and you are accordingly dissolved !" The as- 
sembly of North Carolina passed similar resolutions, and were 
dissolved by their governor, in a similar manner. 



160 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

In May following, the assembly of Massachusetts convened, 
but refused to transact any business wliile the state house was 
surrounded by an armed force. This force, however, the governor 
would not remove, but adjourned the assembly to Cambridge 
At this place, the assembly passed resolutions expressing their 
belief, that the maintenance of a standing armyintlie colony, in 
time of peace, was an infringement of the natural rights o* 
the people. They refused to make any of the appropriations of 
money desired by the governor, in consequence of which he pro- 
rogued them. In Augi^st, the governor (Bernard) was recalled, 
and the government devolved upon Lieutenant-Governor 
Hutchinson. 

17. During the session of parliament in 1770, the 
Duke of Grafton, first lord of the treasury, resigned, and 
was succeeded in that office by the afterwards celebrat- 
ed Lord North. In March, this latter gentleman intro- 
duced a bill, abolishing all duties, imposed by the act of 
1767, on all the articles, except tea. This partial suspen- 
sion of the duties served to soften the feelings of the Amer- 
icans ; but the exception in relation to tea, it was quite 
apparent, was designed as a salvo to the national honor, 
and an evidence, which the British ministry were unwill- 
ing to relinquish, of the right of parliament to tax the 
colonies. 

18. While affairs were thus situated, an event occur- 
red, which produced great excitement in America, par- 
ticularly in Massachusetts. This was an affray, on the 
evening of the 5th of March, 1770, between several of 
the citizens of Boston, and a number of British soldiers, 
stationed at the custom-house. Several of the inhabit* 
ants were killed, and others severely wounded. 

The quarrel commenced on the 2d of March, at Gray's rope 
walk, between a soldier and a man employed at the rope walk. 
The provocation was given by the citizen, and a scuffle ensued, 
in which the soldier was beaten. On the 5th of the month, 
the soldiers, while under arms, were pressed upon and insulted, 
and dared to fire. One of them, who had received a blow, fired 
at the aggressor ; and a single discharge from six others succeed- 
ed. Three of the citizens were killed, and five dangerously 
wounded. The town was instantly thrown into the greatest 
commotion, the bells were rung, and the general cry was, " To 
arms." In a short time, several thousands of the citizens had 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 161 

assembled, and a dreadful scene of blood must have ensued, 
but for the promise of Gov. Hutchinson, that the affair should be 
settled to their satisfaction in the morning. Capt. Preston, 
who commanded the soldiers, was committed with them to prison. 
Upon their trial, the captain and six soldiers were acquitted ; 
two were convicted of manslaughter. For several subsequent 
years, the evening of the day on which this outrage was committed 
was commemorated by the citizens of Boston, and the event gave 
occasion to addresses the most warm and patriotic, which served 
to waken up and increase the spirit of the revolution 

19. During the summer of 1772, another event occur- 
red, which presented a fresh obstacle to a reconciliation 
between America and the mother country. This was the 
destruction, by the people of Rhode Island, of ^ British 
armed schooner, called Gaspce, which had been sta- 
tioned in that colony to assist the board of custom in 
the execution of the revenue and trade laws. 

The destruction of this vessel grew out of an odious requisition 
of her commander, upon the masters of packets, navigating the 
bay, to lower their colors, on passing the schooner. 

On the 9th of June, as the Providence packet was sailing into 
the. harbor of Newport, her captain was ordered to lov/er his col- 
ors. Upon his refusal, a shot was fired at him from the schooner, 
which immediately made sail in chase. By a dexterous manage- 
ment, on the part of the master of the packet, he led the schooner 
on a shoal, where she grounded, and remained fast. At night, it 
was determined by anumber of fishermen, and others, headed by 
several respectable merchants of Providence, to make them- 
selves masters of her, and then set her on fire. When the knowl- 
edge of this event came to the governor, a reward of five hundred 
pounds was offered, by proclamation, for the discovery of the 
offenders, and the royal pardon to those who would confess their 
guilt. Commissioners were appointed also to investigate the 
offence, and bring the perpetrators to justice. But after remain- 
ing some time in session, they reported that they could obtain 
no evidence, and thus the affair terminated. 

20. In 1773, an important measure was adopted by 
most of the colonies, viz. the appointment of committees of 
correspondence and inquiry, in various parts of their re- 
spective territories, by means of which a confidential 
and invaluable interchange of opinions was kept up be- 
tween the colonies, and great unity of sentiment was 
thereby promoted. 

14* 



162 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

Tliis measure had its origin in Massachusetts, in which town 
meetings were called to express their views of the oppressive 
acts of the British parliament, and especially of an act by ■which a 
salary was voted to the royal governor of Massachusetts by par- 
liament, and the people of that colony required to pay it. In 
these meetings, the town of Boston took the lead. A committee 
was appointed to address the several towns in the colony, and to 
urge upon them the importance of an unanimous expression 
of their feelings, with regard to the conduct of the British 
ministry. 

The proceedings of the assembly, and of the towns in Massa- 
chusetts, were communicated to the house of burgesses in Vir- 
ginia, in March, 1773, upon which that body passed a resolution 
appointing a committee of correspondence and inquiiy. whose 
business it was to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence 
of the proceedings of the British government in relation to the 
colonies, and to maintain a correspondence with the other col- 
onies touching all affairs of mutual interest. 

Upon the recommendation of Virginia, similar committees of 
correspondence and inquiry were appointed by the different co- 
lonial assemblies, and a confidential interchange of opinions was 
thus kept up between the colonies. 

21. During these transactions in America, a plan was 
devised by the British ministry to introduce tea into the 
colonies. For some time little of that article had been 
imported into the country, from a determination of the 
people not to submit to the payment of the duty upon it. 
In consequence of this, the teas of the East India com- 
pany had greatly accumulated in their warehouses. To 
enable them to export their teas to America, the British 
minister introduced a bill into parliament, allowing 
the company to export their teas into America, with a 
drawback of all the duties paid in England. As this 
woidd make the tea cheaper in America than in Great 
Britain, it was presumed that the Americans would pay 
the small duty upon it, which was only three pence. In 
this, however, the parliament mistook. Not a single 
penny, by way of duty, was paid upon it, nor a single 
pound of it consumetl. 

On the passage of this bill, the company made a shipment of 
large quantities of tea to Charleston, Philadelphia, New York, 
and Boston. Before its arrival, the resolution had been formed by 
the inhabitants of those places, that, if possible, it should not even 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 



163 



be landed. The cargo destined for Charleston was, indeed, laud- 
ed and stored, but was not permitted to be oftered for sale 
The vessels which brought tea to Philadelphia and New York, 
were compelled to return to England, without even having made 
an entry at the custom-house. 

It was designed by the leading patriots of Boston to make a 
similar disposition of the cargoes expected at that place 5 but, oji 
their arrival, the consignees were found to be the relations or 
friends of the governor, and they could not be induced to re- 
sign their trust. Several town-meetings were held on the sub- 
ject, and spirited resolutions passed, that no considerations would 
induce the inhabitants to permit the landing of the tea. Orders 
Avere at the same time given to the captains to obtain clearances 
at the custom-house, without the usual entries) but this the col- 
lector pertinaciously refused. 

It was in this state of things that the citizens of Boston again 
assembled to determine what measures to adopt. While the dis- 
cussions were going on, a captain of a vessel was despatched to 
the governor to request a passport. At length, he returned to say 
that the governor refused. The meeting was immediately dis- 
solved. A secret plan had been formed to mingle the tea with 
the waters of the ocean. Three different parties soon after sal- 




lied out, in the costume of Mohawk Indians, and precipitately 
made their way to the wharves. At the same time, the citizens 



164 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

were seen in crowds directing their course to the same place, to 
become spectators of a scene as novel as the enterprise was bold. 
Without noise, without the tumult usual on similar occasions, the 
tea was taken from the vessel by the conspirators, and expedi- 
tiously offered as an oblation " to the watery god." 

22. Intelligence of these proceedings was communi- 
cated, in a message from the throne, to both houses of 
parliament, on the 7th of March, 1774. The excite- 
ment was peculiarly strong. In the spirit of revenge 
against Massachusetts, and particularly against Boston, 
which was considered as the chief seat of rebellion, a 
bill was brought forward, called the ^'Boston Port Bill^^' 
by which the port of Boston was precluded from the 
privilege of landing or discharging, or of loading and 
shipping goods, wares, and merchandise. 

A second bill, which passed at this time, essentially 
altered the charter of the province, making the appoint- 
ment of the council, justices, judges, &c. dependent upon 
the crown, or its agent. A third soon followed, author- 
izing and directing the governor to send any person in- 
dicted for murder, or any other capital offence, to 
another colony, or to Great Britain, for trial. 

23. On the arrival of these acts, the town of Boston 
passed the following vote : " That it is the opinion of this 
town, that, if the other colonies come into a joint resolution 
to stop all importation from Great Britain and the West 
Indies, till the act for blocking up this harbor be repealed, 
the same will prove the salvation of North America and 
her liberties." Copies of this vote were transmitted to 
each of the colonies. 

As an expression of their sympathy v/ith the people 
of Boston in their distress, the house of burgesses in 
Virginia ordered that the day on which the Boston port 
bill was to take effect, should be observed as a day of 
fasting and prayer. 

Ohs. The words IfTiigs and Tories were, about this time, intro- 
duced as the distinguishing names of parties. By the former 
was meant those who favored the cause of Boston, and were 
zealous in supporting the colonies against the parliament ; by the 
latter was meant the favorers of Great Britain. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 165 

'24. During these transactions in Massachusetts, meas- 
ures had been taken to convene a continental congress. 
On the fourth of September, 1774, deputies from eleven 
colonies met at Philadelphia, and elected Peyton Ran- 
dolph, the then late speaker of the Virginia assembly, pres- 
ident, and Charles Thompson, secretary. During its ses- 
sion, this body agreed upon a declaration of their rights; 
recommended the non-importation of British goods into 
the country, and the non-exportation of American prod- 
uce to Great Britain, so long as their grievances were 
unredressed ; voted an address to his majesty, and like- 
wise one to the people of Great Britain, and another to 
the French inhabitants of Canada. 

The congress, which thus terminated its session, has justly been 
celebrated, from that time to the present; and its celebrity will 
continue, while wisdom finds admirers, and patriotism is regard. 
ed with veneration. Both at home and abroad they were spoken 
of in terms of the highest admiration. Abroad, the Earl of 
Chatham, in one of his brilliant speeches, remarked of them : — 
*•' History, my lords, has been my favorite study ; and in the cele- 
brated writings of antiquity have I often admired the patriotism 
of Greece and Rome ; but, my lords, I must declare and avow 
that, in the master states of the v/orld, I know not the people, or 
senate, who, in such a complication of difficult circumstances, 
can stand in preference to the delegates of America assembled, 
in general congress at Philadelphia." At home, they were 
celebrated by a native and popular bard, in an equally elevated 
strain : — 

Now meet the fathers of this western clime ; 

Nor names more noble graced the rolls of fame, 
When Spartan firmness braved the wrecks of time, 

Or Latian virtue fann'd the heroic flame. 

Not deeper thought the immortal sage inspired, 

On Solon's lips when Grecian senates hung ; 
Not manlier eloquence the bosom fired, 

When genius thundered from the Athenian tongue. 

25. An assembly was ordered, by Gov. Gage of Mas- 
sachusetts, to convene October 5th ; but before that pe- 
riod arrived, judging their meeting inexpedient, he coun- 
teracted the writs of convocation, by a proclamation. 
The assembly, however, to the number of ninety, met 
at Salem, where the governor not attending, they ad- 



166 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783, 

journed to Concord. Here they chose John Hancock 
president, and, after adjourning to Cambridge, drew up 
a plan for the immediate defence of the province, by 
enlisting men, appointing general officers, &/C, 

In November, this provincial congress met again, and resolved 
to equip twelve thousand men, to act in any emergency ; and to 
enlist one fourth part of the militia as minute-men. At the same 
time, a request was forwarded to Connecticut, New Hampshire, 
and Rhode Island, jointly to increase this army to twenty thou- 
sand men. 

26. Early the next year, January 7th, 1775, Lord 
Chatham, Mr. Pitt, after a long retirement, resumed his 
seat in the house of lords, and introduced a conciliatory 
hill, the object of which was to settle the troubles in 
America. But the efforts of this venerable and peace- 
making man wholly failed, the bill being rejected by a 
majority of sixty-four to thirty-tv/o, without even the 
compliment of laying it on the table. 

The rejection of this bill was followed the next day by the 
introduction of a bill, which finally passed, to restrain the trade 
of the New England provinces, and to forbid their fishing on the 
banks of Newfoundland. Soon after, restrictions were imposed 
upon the middle and southern colonies, with the exception of 
New York, Delaware, and North Carolina, This bill, designed 
to promote disunion among the colonies, happily failed of its 
abject, 

•Thus we have given a succinct account of the system 
of measures adopted by the ministry of England toward 
the American colonies after the peace of '63 — ^measures 
most unfeeling and unjust ; but which no petitions, how- 
ever respectful, and no remonstrances, however loud, 
could change. Satisfied of this, justice permitted the 
people, and self-respect and self-preservation loudly sum- 
moned them, to resist hy force. 

27. The crisis, therefore, had now arrived, the signal 
of war was given, and the blood shed at Lexington opened 
the scene. 

Gen. Gage, the king's governor of Massachusetts, 
learning that a large quantity of military stores had been 
deposited by the provincials at Concord, detached Lieut 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 



1G7 



Col. Smith, and Major Pitcairn, with eight hundred 
grenadiers, to destroy them. On their arrival at Lex- 
ington, on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, 
seventy of the militia, who had hastily assembled upon 
an alarm, were under arms on the parade. Eight of 
these were, without provocation, killed, and several 
wounded. 





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The greatest precaution was taken by Governor Gage, to pre- 
vent the intelHgence of this expedition from reaching the country. 
Officers were dispersed along the road to intercept expresses, 
who might be sent from Boston. But the precaution proved in- 
effectual. The alarm was given, and was rapidly spread by 
means of church bells, guns, and volleys. 

The slaughter of the militia at Lexington was extremely wan- 
ton. Major Pitcairn, the British commander, on seeing them 
on the parade, rode up to them, and, with a loud voice, cried out, 
" Disperse, disperse, you rebels ; throw down your arms and dis 
perse." The sturdy yeomanry not immediately obeying his or 
ders, he approached nearer, discharged his pistol, and ordered his 
soldiers to fire. 

From Lexington, the detachment proceeded to Concord, and 
tiestroyed the stores. After killing several of the militia, who 
came forth to oppose them, they retreated to Lexington with 



16S 



Period v. — 1775 to 17 S3. 



some loss, the Americans firing upon them from behind walls, 
hedges, and buildings. 

Fortunately for the British, here Lord Percy met them, Avith a 
reinforcement of nine hundred men, some marines, and two 
field-pieces. Still annoyed by tlie provincials, they continued 
their retreat to Bunker's Hill, in Charlestown, and the day follow- 
ing crossed over to Boston. The British lost, in killed and 
v/ounded, during their absence, tv/o hundred and seventy-three. 
The loss of the Americans amounted to eighty -eight killed, 
wounded and missing. 

28. Hostilities having commenced, it was deemed 
important to secure the fortresses of Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point. Accordingly, a number of volunteers from 
Connecticut and Vermont, under command of Col. 
Ethan Allen and Col. Benedict Arnold, marched against 
Ticonderoga, and, on the 10th of May, took it by sur- 
prise, the garrison being asleep. The fortress of Crown 
Point surrendered shortly after. 




On the arrival of Allen at Ticonderoga, he demanded the fort. 
'' By what authority.? " asked the commander. " 1 demand it," 
said Allen, *• in the name of the great Jehovah, and of the con- 
tinental congress." The summons was instantly obeyed, and 
the fort was, with its valuable stores, surrendered. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 



169 



29. The tiiking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point was 
soon followed by thememor^hXe Battle of Bunker' s Hill ^ 
as it is usually called, or of Breed's Hill, a high emi- 
nence in Charlestown, within cannon-shot of Boston, 
where the battle was actually fought, on the 17th of June. 

The evening preceding, a detachment of one thousand Ameri 
cans was ordered to make an intrenchment on Bunker's Hill; 
but, by some mistake, they proceeded to Breed's Hill, and, by the 
dawn of day, had thrown up a redoubt eight rods square and 
four feet high. 

On discovering this redoubt in the morning, the British com- 
menced a severe cannonade upon it, from several ships and float- 
ing batteries, and from a fortification on Copp's Hill, in Boston, 
which was continued until afternoon. The Americans, however, 
never intermitted their work for a moment, and, during the fore 
noon, lost but a single man. 

Between twelve and one o'clock, three thousand British, under 
command of Major-Gen. Howe, and Brigadier-Gen. Pigot, crosse4 
Charles River, with an intention to dislodge the Americans. 



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As they advanced, the British commenced firing at some dis- 
tance from the redoubt ; but the Americans reserved their fire 
uHtil the enemy were within twelve rods. Tliey then opened, and 
15 



170 



VERioD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 



the carnage was terrible. The British retreated in precipitate 
confusion. They were, however, rallied by their officers, being, 
in some instances, pushed on by their swords, and were again led 
to the attack. The Americans now suffered them to approach 
within six rods, when their fire mowed them down in heaps, and 
again they fled. Unfi)rtunately fiar the Americans, their ammuni- 
tion here fiiiled ; and, on the third charge of the British, they 
were obhged to retire, after having obstinately resisted, even 
lono-erthan prudence admitted. The British lost in this engage- 
ment two hundred and twenty-six killed, among whom was 
Major Pitcairn, who first lighted the torch of war at Lexington, 
and eight hundred and twenty-eight wounded. The Americans 
lost one hundred and thirty-nine killed, and of wounded and miss- 
ing there were three hundred and fourteen. Among the killetl 
was the lamented Gen. Warren. 

The horrors of this scene were greatly increased by the con- 
flagration of Charlestown, effected, during the heat of the battle, 
by the orders of Gen. Gage. By this wanton act of barbarity, 




two thousand people were depriveu ui laeir habitations, and 
property to the amount of one hundred and twenty thousand 
pounds sterling, perished in the flames. Wanton, however, as 
the burning of Charlestown was, it wonderfully enhanced the 
dreadful magnificence of the day. To the volleys of musketry and 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 171 

the roar of cannon ; to the shouts of the fighting and the groans 
of the dying; to the dark and awful atmosphere of smoke, en- 
veloping the whole peninsula, and illumined in every quarter by 
the streams of fire from the various instruments of death ; the 
conflagration of six hundred buildings added a gloomy and amaz- 
ing grandeur. In the midst of this waving lake of flame, the 
lofty steeple, converted into a blazing pyramid, towered and trem- 
bled over the vast pyre, and finished the scene of desolation. 

To the Americans, tlie consequences of this battle were those 
of a decided victory. They learned that their enemies were not 
invulnerable. At the same time, they learned the importance of 
stricter discipline and greater preparations. As the result of the 
battle spread, the national pulse beat still higher, and the arm of 
opposition was braced still more firmly. 

30. The second continental congress met at Philadel- 
phia, on the 10th of May. As military opposition to 
Great Britain was now resolved upon by the colonies, 
and had actually commenced, it became necessary to fix 
upon a proper person to conduct that opposition. The 
person unanimously selected by congress was George 
Washington, a member of their body from Virginia. 

The honor of having suggested and advocated the choice of 
this illustrious man, is justly ascribed to the elder President Ad- 
ams, at that time a member of the continental congress. The 
army was at this time at Cambridge, Massachusetts, under Gen. 
Ward. As yet, congress had not adopted the army, nor had it 
taken any measures to appoint a commander-in-chief. These 
points could with safety be neglected no longer. This Mr. Adams 
clearly saw, and by his eloquence induced congress to appoint a 
day when the subject should be discussed. 

The day was fixed. It came. Mr. Adams went in, took the 
floor, urged the measure of adopting the army, and, after debate, 
it passed. The next thing was to get a lawful commander for 
this lawful army, with supplies, &c. All looked to Mr. Adams, 
on this occasion ; and he was ready. He took the floor, and 
went into a minute delineation of the character of General Ward, 
bestowing on him the epithets which, then, belonged to no one else. 
At the end of this eulogy, he said, <' But this is not the man I have 
chosen." He then portrayed the character of a commander-in- 
chief, such as was required by the peculiar situation of the colo- 
nies at that juncture ; and after he had presented the qualifica- 
tions in his strongest language, and given the reasons for the 
nomination he was about to make, he said, " Gentlemen, I know 
these qualifications are high, but we all know they are needful, at 
this crisis, in this chief. Does any one say that they are not to be 



172 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

obtained in the country ? 1 reply, tliey are : they reside in ojie 
of our own body, and he is the person whom I now nominate 
George Washington, of Virginia." 

Washington, who sat on Mr. Adams's right hand, was looking 
him intently in the face, to watch the name he was about to an- 
nounce ; and not expecting it would be his own, he sprung from 
his seat the moment he heard it, and rushed into an adjoining 
room, as quickly as though moved by a shock of electricity. 

An adjournment was immediately moved and carried, in order 
to give the members time to deliberate on so important a meas- 
ure. The following day Washington was unanimously appoint- 
ed commander-in-chief of the American forces ; and on present- 
ing their commission to him, congress unanimously adopted the 
resolution, " that they would maintain and assist- him, and ad- 
here to him, with their lives and fortunes, in the cause of Ameri- 
can liberty." 

Following the appointment of Gen. Washington, was the ap- 
pointment of four major-generals, Artemas Ward, Charles Lee, 
Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam ; and eight brigadier-gen- 
erals, Seth Pomeroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, 
William Pleath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, 
and Nathaniel Greene. 

31. Gen. Washington, on his arrival at Cambridge, 
on the second of July, was received with joyful acclama- 
tions by the American army. He found it, consisting 
of 14,000 men, stretched from Roxbury to Cambridge, 
and thence to Mystic River, a distance of twelve miles. 
The British forces occupied Bunker and Breed's Hill, 
and Boston Neck. 

The attention of the commander-in-chief was immediately di- 
jected to the strength and situation of the enemy, and to the in- 
troduction of system and union into the army, the want of which 
pervaded every department. This was a delicate and difficult 
attempt ; .but the wisdom and firmness of Washington removed 
every obstacle, and at length brought even independent freemen, 
in a good degree, to the control of military discipline. 

32. While Washington was employed in organizing 
the array, and preparing for future operations, an impor- 
tant expedition was planned against Canada, the charge 
of which was assigned to Gens. Schuyler and Montgom- 
ery. On the 10th of September, one thousand Ameri- 
can troops landed at St. Johns, the first British post in 
Canada, (one hundred and fifteen mHes north of Ticon- 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 173 

deroga,) but found it advisable to retire to the Isle aux 
Noix, twelve miles south of St. Johns. Here the health 
of Gen. Schuyler obliging him to return to Ticonderoga, 
the command devolved on Gen. Montgomery. This en- 
terprising officer, in a few days, returned to the invest- 
ment of St. Johns, and, on the 3d of iXovember, received 
the surrender of this important post. 

On the surrender of St. Johns, five hundred regulars and one 
hundred Canadians became prisoners to the provincials. Th-ere 
were also taken thirty-nine pieces of cannon, seven mortars, and 
five hundred stands of arms. 

Gen. Montgomery next proceeded against Montreal, 
which, without resistance, capitulated. From Montreal 
he rapidly proceeded towards duebec. 

Before his arrival, however, Col. Arnold, who had 
been despatched by Gen. Washington with one thousand 
American troops from Cambridge, had reached Q.uebec, 
by the way of Kennebeck, a river of Maine, — had as- 
cended the heights of Abraham, where the brave Wolfe 
ascended before him : but had found it necessary to re- 
tire to a place twenty miles above Quebec, where he 
was waiting for the arrival of Montgomery. 

Seldom was there an expedition attempted during the Ameri- 
can war, in which more hardship was endured, or more untiring 
perseverance manifested, than in this of Arnold's. In ascending 
the Kennebeck, his troops were constantly obliged to work 
against an impetuous current, and often to haul their batteaux 
up rapid currents and over dangerous falls. Nor was their march 
through the country, by an unexplored route of three hundred 
miles, less difficult or dangerous. They had swamps and woods, 
mountains and precipices, alternately to surpass. Added to their 
other trials, their provisions failed, and, to support life, they were 
obliged to eat their dogs, cartouch-boxes, clothes, and shoes. 
While at the distance of one hundred miles from human habita- 
tions, they divided their whole store, about four pints of flour to 
a man. At thirty miles' distance, they had baked and eaten their 
last pitiful morsel. Yet the courage and fortitude of these men 
continued unshaken. They were suffering in their country's 
cause, w^ere toiling for wives and children, were contending for 
the rights and blessings of freedom. After thirty-one days of in- 
cessant toil through a hideous wilderness, they reached the hab 
itations of men. 

15* 



174 PERIOD V.-— 1775 TO 1783. 

33. Montgomery, having effected a junction with 
Arnold, commenced the siege of Q,uebec. On the 5th 
of December, after continuing the siege nearly ti month 
to little purpose, the bold plan was adopted of attempting 
the place by scaling the walls. Two attacks were made, 
at the same time, in different quarters of the town, by 
Montgomery and Arnold, The attempt, however, proved 
unsuccessful, and, to the great loss and grief of Ameri- 
ca, fatal to the brave Montgomery, He fell while at- 
tempting to force a barrier ; and with him fell two distin- 
guished officers, Capt. M'Pherson, his aid, and Capt.' 
Cheeseman. 

After this repulse, Arnold retired about three miles 
from Q,uebec, where he continued encamped through a 
rigorous winter. On the return of spring, 1776, finding 
his forces inadequate to the reduction of Quebec, and 
not being reinforced, he retired. By the 18th of June, 
the Americans, having been compelled to relinquish one 
post after another, had wholly evacuated Canada. 

The garrison of Quebec consisted, at the time of the above at- 
tack, of about one thousand five hundred men; the American 
forces were near eight hundred. The loss of the Americans in 
killed and wounded was about one hundred, and three hundred 
were taken prisoners. 

The death of General Montgomery was deeply lamented both 
m Europe and America. *• The most powerful speakers in the 
British parliament displayed their eloquence in praising his vir- 
tues and lamenting his fall." Congress directed a monument to 
be erected to his memory, expressive of their sense of his high 
patriotism and heroic conduct. In 1818, New York, his adopted 
state, removed his remains to her own metropolis, where the 
monument had been placed ; and near that they repose. 

34, During this year, 1775, Virginia, through the in- 
discretion of Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, was 
involved in difficulties little short of those to which the 
inhabitants of Massachusetts were subjected. From the 
earliest stages of the controversy with Great Britain, the 
Virginians had been in the foremost rank of opposition ; 
and, in common with other provinces, had taken meas- 
ures for defence. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 175 

These measures the royaJ governor attempted to 
thwart, by the removal of guns and ammunition, which 
had been stored by the people in a magazine. The con- 
duct of the governor roused the inhabitants, and occa- 
sioned intemperate expressions of resentment. Appre- 
hending personal danger, Lord Dunmore retired on board 
the Fowey man-of-war, from which he issued his procla- 
mations, instituting martial law, and proffering freedom 
to such slaves as would repair to the royal standard. 
Here, also, by degrees, he equipped and armed a num- 
ber of vossels: and, upon being refused provisions by 
the provincials, from on shore, he proceeded to reduce 
the town of Norfolk to ashes. The loss was estimated 
at three hundred thousand pounds sterling. Nearly six 
thousand persons were deprived of their habitations. 

In like manner, the royal governors of North and South Caro- 
lina thought it prudent to retire, and seek safety onboard men-of- 
war. Royal government generally tenninated this year through- 
out the country, the king's governors, for the most part, abdicat- 
'ihg their governments, and taking refuge on board the English 
shipping. 

35. Early in the spring of 1776, Gren. Washington con- 
templated the expulsion of the British army from Boston, 
by direct assault. In a council of war, it was deemed 
expedient, however, rather to take possession of, and 
fortify Dorchester Heights, which commanded the har- 
bor and British shipping. The night of the 4th of March 
was selected for the attempt. Accordingly, in the even- 
ing, a covering party of eight hundred, followed by a 
working party of twelve hundred, with intrenching tools, 
took possession of the heights unobserved by the enemy. 

Here, betaking themselves to work with so much ac- 
tivity, by morning they had constructed fortifications, 
which completely sheltered them. The surprise of the 
British cannot easily be conceived. The English ad- 
miral, after examining the works, declared that, if the 
Americans were not dislodged from' their position, his 
vessels could no longer remain in safety in theiiarbor. 



176 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1/83. 

It' was determined, therefore, by the Britisli, to evacuate? 
Boston, which they now did; and on the I7th, the 
British troops, under command of Lord Vv'ih'iam Howe, 
successor of Gen. Gage, sailed for PlaHfax. Gen. Wasli- 
mgton, to the great joy of the inhabitants, army, and 
nation, immediately marched into the town.- 

The rear guard of the British was scarcely out of the town, 
vi'hen Washington entered it. on the other side, with colors dis- 
played, drums beating, and all the forms of victory and triumph. 
He was received by the inhabitants with demonstrations of joy 
and gratitude'. Sixteen mon^Jis had the people sriffered the dis- 
tresses of hunger, and the outrages of an insolent soldiery. 

The town presented a melancholy spectacle, at the time the 
army of Washington entered. One tliousand five hundred loy- 
alists, with their families, had just depr.rted on board the Britislj 
fleet, tearing themselves from home and friends, far the love of 
the royal cause. Churches were stripped of pews and benches 
for fuel, shops were opened and rifled of goods to clothe the arm3\ 
and houses had been pillaged by an unfeeling soldiery. 

36. While affairs were proceeding thus in the north, 
an attempt was made, in June and July, to destroy the 
fort on Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, S. C, by 
Gen. Clinton and Sir Peter Parker. After an action of 
upwards of ten hours, the British were obliged to retire, 
having their ships greatly injured, and with the loss of 
two hundred killed and wounded. The loss of the 
Americans was but ten killed and twenty-two wounded. 

The fort was commanded by Col. Moultrie, whose garrison 
consisted of but three hundred and seventy-five regular troops. 
and a few militia. On the fort was mounted twenty-six cannon 
of eighteen and nine pounders. The British f,-)rce consisted of 
two fifty gun ships, and four frigates, each of twenty-eight guns, 
besides several smaller vessels, with three thousand troops on 
board. By this repulse of the British, the Southern States obtain- 
ed a respite from the calamities of war for two years and a half. 

Among the American troops who resisted the British, in their 
attack on Fort Moultrie, was a Sergeant Jasper, whose name has 
been given to one of the counties in Georgia, in commemoration 
of his gallant deeds, and who deserves an honorable notice in 
every history of his country. In the warmest part of the contest, 
the flag-staff was severed by a cannon-ball, and the flag fell to 
the bottom of the ditch, on the outside of the works. This acci- 
dent wift considered, by the anxious inhabitaHts in Charleston, 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 177 

IS putting an end to the contest, by striking the American flag 
to the enemy. The moment Jasper made the discovery, that the 
flag had fallen, he jumped from one of the embrasures, and took 
up the flag, Vv'hich he tied to a post, and replaced it on the parapet, 
where he supported it until another flag-stafF was procured. 

37. During these transactions in the south, the con- 
tinental congress was in session, intently observing the 
aspect of things, and deeply revolving the probable issue 
of the present important contest. The idea of inde- 
pendence had now been broached among the people, 
and the way was, in a measure, prepared to bring the 
subject before congress. 

Accordingly, on the 8th of June, Richard Henry Lee, 
one of the deputies from Virginia, rose and made a mo- 
tion to declare America free and independent. 

38. The resolution of Mr. Lee was eloquently sup- 
ported by him and others, and was still further dis- 
cussed on the 11th of June. On this last day, it was 
postponed for further consideration to the first day of 
July ; and at the same time it was voted that a commit- 
tee be appointed to propose a Declaration to the eifect 
of the resolution. This committee was elected by ballot 
on the following day, and consisted of Thomas Jefferson 
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and 
Robert R. Livingston. 

It is usual, when committees are elected by ballot, that thei' 
numbers are arranged in order according to the number of vote? 
which each has received. Mr. Jefferson, therefore, probably re 
ceived the highest, and Mr. Adams the next highest number o* 
votes. The difference is said to have been but a single vote. 

Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Adams, standing thus at the head of the 
committee, were requested by the other members to act as a sub- 
committee to prepare the draft ; and Mr. Jefferson drew up the 
paper. The orio-inal drafl, as brought by him from his study, with 
interlineations in the hand-writing of Dr. Franklin, and others in 
that of Mr. Adams, was in Mr. Jefferson's possession at the time 
of his death. The merit of this paper is Mr. Jefferson's ; somo 
changes were made in it on the suggestion of other members of 
the committee, and others by congress, while it was under dis 
cussion. But none of them altered the tone, the frame, the ar- 
rangement, or the general character of the instrument. As a 
composition, the Declaration is Mr. Jefferson's. It is the produc- 



178 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

tion of his mind, and the high honor of it belongs to him clearly 
and absolutely. 

While Mr. Jefferson was the author of the Declaration itself 
Mr. Adams was its great supporter on the floor of congress. 
This was the unequivocal testimony of Mr. Jefferson. *• John 
Adams," said he. on one occasion, '■' was our Colossus on the 
floor : not graceful, not elegant, not always fluent in his public 
addresses, he yet came out with a power, both of thought and of 
expression, that moved us from our seats." And at another time 
he said, '■' John Adams was the pillar of its support on the floor 
of congress ; its ablest advocate and defender against the multi- 
farious assaults which were made against it." 

39. On the arrival of the day assigned, the subject 
was resumed, and on the 'ith of July, 1776, upon the 
report of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin 
Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Philip Livingston, the 
thirteen confederate colonies dissolved their allegiance 
to the British crown, and declared themselves Free and 
Independent, under the name of the Thirteen United 
States of America. 

This Declaration was ordered to be handsomely engrossed on 
parchment ; and on the 2d of August, 1776, was signed b}'^ all the 
members then present, and by some who were not members on 
the 4th of July. 

A signature to this instrument was an act of serious concern. 
In England, it woul4 be regarded as ^rc«5ori, and expose any man 
to the halter or the block. This the signers well knew; yet, 
having counted the cost, they proceeded to the. transaction, pre- 
pared, if defeat should follow, to lead, without repining, in the 
way to martyrdom. The only signature on the original docu- 
ment, which exhibits indications of a trembling hand, is that of 
Stephen Hopkins, who had been afflicted with the palsy. In this 
work of treason, John Hancock led the way, as president of the 
congress, and by the force with which he wrote, he seems to have 
determined that his name should never be erased. The pen 
with which these signatures were made, has been preserved, and 
i-s now in the cabinet of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 

The number who signed the Declaration w^as fifty-six ; and the 
average length of their lives was about sixty-five years Four 
of the number attained to the age of ninety years and upwards, 
fourteen exceeded eighty years; and twenty-three, or one in two 
and a half, reached threescore years and ten. The longevity of 
the New England delegation was still more remarkable. Their 
number was fourteen, the average of whose lives was seventy- 
five years. Who will affirm that the unusual age to which the 



i 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 179 

signers, as a body, attained, was not a reward bestowed upon 
them for their fideUty to their country, and the trust which they 
in general reposed in the overruling providence of God ? Who 
can doubt the kindness of that Providence to the American peo- 
ple, in thus prolonging the lives of these men, till the principles 
for which they had contended, through a long series of years, 
had been acknowledged, and a government been founded upon 
them ? 

Of this venerable body, not a single one survives. They are 
now no more. They are no more, as in 1776, bold and fearless 
advocates of independence. They are dead. But how little is 
there of the great and good which can die. To their country 
they yet live, and live forever. They live in all that perpetuates 
the remembrance of men on earth ; in the recorded proofs cf 
their own great actions, in the offspring of their own great inter- 
est, in the deep-engraved lines of public gratitude, and in the 
respect and homage of mankind. They live in their example ; 
and they live emphatically, and will live, in the influence which 
their lives and efforts, their principles and opinions, now exercise, 
and will continue to exercise, on the affairs of men, not only in 
our own country, but throughout the civilized world. 

The Declaration of Independence, when sent abroad among the 
people, was received with transports of joy. Public rejoicings 
were made in various parts of the Union. The ensigns of royalty 
were destroyed — public processions were made — bells were rung 
— cannon were fired, with other suitable demonstrations of pub- 
lic exultation. 

40. Soon after the evacuation of Boston by the British 
troops, {Sec. 35,) Washington, believing that the posses- 
sion of New York would be with them a favorite object, 
determined to make it the head-quarters of his army, 
and thereby prevent their occupation of it, if such a step 
had been contemplated. Accordingly, he soon removed 
to that city, with the principal part of his troops. 

41. On the 10th of June, Gen. William Howe, with 
the army which had evacuated Boston, arrived from 
Halifax, off Sandy Hook. Here he was soon after join- 
ed by his brother, Admiral Lord Howe, from England, 
with a reinforcement. Their combined forces amount- 
ed to twenty-four thousand. On the 2d of August, they 
landed near the Narrows, nine miles from the city. 

42. Previous to the commencement of hostilities, Ad- 
miral and Gen. Howe communicated to Washington, 



180 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

that they were commissioned to settle all difficulties be- 
tween Great Britain and the colonies. But not address- 
ing Washington by the title due to his rank, he thought 
proper to decline receiving their communication. It 
appeared, however, that the power of these commission- 
ers extended little farther than, in the language of their 
instructions, " to grant pardons to such as deserve 
mercy." 

43. The American army, in and near New York, 
amounted to seventeen thousand two hundred and 
twenty-five men, a part of whom were encamped near 
Brooklyn, on Long Island. On the 27th of August, this 
body of the Americans, under command of Brigadier- 
Gen. Sullivan, were attacked by the British, under Sir 
Henry Clinton, Percy, and Cornwallis, and were defeat- 
ed, with the loss of upwards of a thousand men, while 
the loss of the British amounted to less than four hundred. 
Gen. Sullivan, and Brigadier-Generals Lord Stirling 
and Woodhull, fell into the hands of the British as pris- 
oners. 

In the heat of the engagement. Gen. Washington had crossed 
over to Brooklyn from New York, and, on seeing some of his best 
troops slaughtered or taken, he uttered, it is said, an exclama- 
tion of anguish. But, deep as his anguish was, and much as Jie 
wished to succor his troops, prudence forbade the calling in of 
his forces from New York, as they would by no means have 
sufficed to render his army equal to that of the English. 

44. After the repulse at Brooklyn, perceiving the oc- 
cupation of his position on Long Island to be of no prob- 
able importance, Washington withdrew his troops to 
New York, and soon after evacuated the city, upon 
which, on the 15th of September, the British entered it. 

Seldom, if ever, was a retreat conducted with more ability and 
prudence, or under more favorable auspices, than that of the 
American troops from Long Island. The necessary preparations 
having been made, on the 29th of August, at eight in the even- 
ing, the troops began to move in the greatest silence. But they 
were not on board their vessels before eleven. A violent north- 
east wind, and the ebb tide, which rendered the current very 
rapid, prevented the passage. The time pressed however. For- 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 181 

tunately, the wind suddenly veered to the north-west. They 
immediately made sail, and landed in New York. Providence 
appeared to have watched over the Americans. About two 
o'clock in the morning, a thick fog, and at this season of the year 
extraordinary, covered all Long Island, whereas the air was per- 
fi?ctly clear on the side of New York. Notwithstanding the en- 
treaties of his officers, Washington remained the last upon the 
shore. It was not till the next morning, when the sun was 
already high, and the fog dispelled, that the English perceived 
the Americans had abandoned their camp, and were sheltered 
from pursuit. 

45. On retiring from New York, Gen. Washington, 
with his army, occupied for a short time the heights of 
Harlem, and several stations in that neighborhood. 

On the IGth of September, the day after the British took posses- 
sion of New York, a considerable body of the enemy appearing 
in the plains between the tv/o camps, the general ordered Col. 
Knowlton, with a corps of rangers, and Major Leitch^, with three 
companies of a Virginia regiment, to get in their rear, while lie 
amused them by making apparent dispositions to attack their 
front. The plan succeeded. A skirmish ensued, in which tlie 
Americans charged the enemy with great intrepidity, and gained 
considerable advantage ; but the principal benefit of this action 
was its influence in reviving the depressed spirits of the whole 
army. Major Leitch, who very gallantly led on the detachment, 
was soon brought off the ground, mortally wounded ; and not 
long afterward, Colonel Knowlton fell, bravely fighting at the 
head of his troops. The Americans in this conflict engaged a 
battalion of light infantry, another of Highlanders, and three 
companies of Hessian riflemen ; and lost about fifty men killed 
and wounded. The loss of the enemy was more than double 
that number. 

46. Finding his position at Harlem and its vicinity 
untenable, Washington broke up his camp, and retired 
with a part of his forces to White Plains. Here, on the 
28th of October, he was attacked by the British and 
Hessians, under Generals Howe, Clinton, Knyphausen, 
and De Heister. A partial engagement ensued, and 
several hundreds fell on both sides ; but neither party 
could claim any decided advantage. 

Shortly after, a strong British reinforcement arriving, 
under Lord Percy, Washington, deeming his position 
unsafe, left it on the night of the 30th, and retired with 
IG 



182 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

his forces to North Castle, about five miles from While 
Plains. Leaving about 7500, under command of Gen. 
Lee, Washington crossed the North river, and took 
post in the neighborhood of Fort Lee. 

47. The British general, failing to draw Washington 
to a general engagement, next turned his attention to 
the reduction of Forts Washington and Lee, which had 
been garrisoned for the purpose of preserving the com- 
mand of the Hudson river. On the 16th of November, 
the former of these forts was attacked by the British. 
The defence of the fort by the brave Col. Magaw was 
spirited ; but at length he was obliged to capitulate, and, 
with the fort, to surrender his whole force, consisting of 
between 2000 and 3000 men. On the 18th, the British 
army, crossing the Hudson, proceeded to the attack of Fort 
Lee. The garrison in this fort, at first, determined to 
defend it ; but, ascertaining that the contest would be en- 
tirely unequal, they evacuated it, and, under the guid- 
ance of Gen. Greene, joined Washington, who had at 
this time taken post at Newark, on the south side of the 
Passaic. 

48, Finding Newark too near his triumphant foe, 
Washington retreated to Brunswick, on the Raritan, and 
Lord Cornwallis on the same day entered Newark. The 
retreat was still continued from Brunswick to Princeton ; 
from Princeton to Trenton ; and from Trenton to the 
Pennsylvania side of the Delaware. The pursuit was 
urged with so much rapidity, that the rear of the Amer- 
ican army, pulling down bridges, was often within sight 
and shot of the van of the enemy employed in building 
them up. 

This retreat through New Jersey was made under circumstances 
of the deepest depression. The Americans had just lost the two 
forts Washington and Lee, and with the former more than 2000 
men. Numbers of the militia were daily claiming to be discharged, 
and precipitately retired to their habitations ; and even the regu- 
lar troops, as if struck with despair, also filed off, and deserted in 
bodies. This left the army of Washington so reduced, that it 
scarcely amounted to three thousand men ; and even these were 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 183 

poorly fed, and were exposed in an open country, without instru- 
ments to intrench themselves, without tents to shelter them from 
the inclemency of the season, and in the midst of a population little 
zealous, or rather hostile to the republic. Added to this, numbers 
of the leading characters, both in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, 
who had been friendly to the American cause, were changing sides, 
and making peace with the enemy. This example became perni- 
cious, and the most prejudicial effects were to be apprehended 
from it. Every day ushered in some new calamity ; the cause 
of America seemed hastening to irretrievable ruin. The most 
discreet no longer dissembled that the term of the war was 
at hand, and that the hour was come, in which the colonies 
were about to resume the yoke. But Washington, in the midst 
of so much adversity, did not despair of the public safety. His 
constancy was an object of admiration. Far from betraying any 
symptoms of hesitation or fear, he showed himself to his deject- 
ed soldiers with a serene countenance, and radiant, as it were, 
with a certain hope of a better future. Adverse fortune had not 
been able to vanquish, nay, not even to shake, his invincible 
spirit. Firmly resolved to pursue their object through every for- 
tune, the congress manifested a similar constancy. It appeared 
as if the spirit of these great minds had increased with adversity. 

49. Notwithstanding the general aspect of affairs, on 
the part of America, was thus forbidding, the con- 
tinental congress, so far from betraying symptoms of 
despair, manifested more confidence than ever ; and, as 
if success must eventually crown their enterprises, 
calmly occupied themselves in drawing up various Arti- 
cles of Confederation and perpetual union between the 
states. 

Such articles were obviously necessary, that the line 
of distinction between the powers of the respective states, 
and of congress, should be exactly defined. In this 
way, only, would collisions be avoided, and the peace 
and harmony of the Union be preserved.' 

Accordingly, such articles v/ere now digested, and, at 
the sitting of congress, October 4th, 1776, were signed 
by all the members, and copies immediately sent to the 
respective assemblies of each state for approbation. 

50. Fortunately, Washington, about this time, re- 
ceived reinforcements of militia and regular troops, 
which, togetlier with his previous forces, gave him an 



184 



PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 



army of about 7000 effective men. But this number 
being soon to be reduced by the retirement of a large 
body of militia, whose period of enlistment would close 
with the year, Washington formed the bold resolution 
of recrossing the Delaware, and of attacking the British 
at Trenton. This plan was carried into effect on the 
night of the 25th of December ; and on the following 
day, Hessian prisoners to the amount of one thousand 
were taken by the Americans, with the loss of scarcely 
a man on their side. This was a brilliant achievement, 
and served to arouse the desponding hopes of America. 




The American troops detached for this service arrived, in the 
dusk of the evening, at the bank of the river. The passage of 
the river by the troops and the artillery, it was expected, would 
be effected before midnight. But this was found to be impracti- 
cable. The cold was so intense, and the river so obstructed with 
floating ice, that the landing of the artillery vv^as not accomplished 
until four in the morning. An immediate and precipitate march 
wns made towards Trenton, with the hope of reaching it before 
d;iy. But a thick fog setting in, and a mist, mingled with sleet, 
so retarded their march, that they did not reach Trenton until 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 185 

eight o'clock ; yet, at this late hoUr, the Hessians had no suspi- 
cion of the approach of the enemy. 

51. Justly elated with the success at Trenton, Wash- 
ington soon after proceeded to Princeton, where, on the 
1st of January, he attacked a party of British, of whom 
upwards of one hundred were killed, and the remainder, 
amounting to about three hundred, were made prisoners. 
The loss of the Americans was less than that of the 
British ; but in that number were several valuable officers, 
and among them the brave General Mercer. 

52. Soon after the above victories, Washington retired 
(January 6th, 1777) to winter quarters, at Morristown, 
where his army w^ere nearly all inoculated with the 
small-pox, that disease having appeared among tlie troops, 
and rendering such a measure necessary. The disease 
proved mortal but in i^ew instances ; nor was there a day 
in which the soldiers could not, if called upon, have 
fought the enemy. 

53. On the opening of the campaign of 1777, the 
army of Washington, although congress had offered to 
recruits bounties in land, and greater wages, amounted 
to little more than 7000 men. Towards the latter end 
of May, Washington quitted his winter encampment at 
Morristown, and, about the same time, the royal army 
moved from Brunswick, which they had occupied dur- 
ing the winter. Much shifting of the armies followed, 
but no definite plan of operation had apparently been 
settled by either. 

Previous to this, however, General Howe sent a detachment 
of two thousand men, under command of Gen. Tryon, Gen. 
Agnew, and Sir William Erskine, to destroy some stores and pro 
visions deposited at Danbury, in Connecticut. Meeting v/ith no 
resistance, they reached Danbury on the 26th of April, and de- 
stroyed one thousand eight hundred barrels of beef and pork, and 
eight hundred of flour, two thousand bushels of grain, clothing 
for a regiment, one hundred hogsheads of rum, and one thousand 
seven hundred and ninety tents. Besides the destruction of 
these articles, the enemy wantonly burned eighteen houses with 
their furniture, murdered three unoffending inhabitants, and 
threw them into the flames. 

10* 



186 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

Generals Sullivan, Wooster, and Arnold, happening to be in 
the neighborhood, hastily collected about six hundred militia, with 
whom they marched in pursuit, in a heavy rain, as far as Bethel, 
about two miles from Danbury. On the morning of the 27th of 
April, tlie troops were divided, Gen. Wooster, with about three 
hundred men, falling in the rear of the enemy, while Arnold 
took post in front, at Ridgefield. 

Gen. Wooster proceeded to attack the enemy, in which engage- 
ment he was mortally wounded, and from which his troops were 
compelled to retire. At Ridgefield, Arnold warmly received 
the enemy on their retreat, and, although repulsed, returned to 
the attack the next day on their march to the Sound. Finding 
themselves continually annoyed by the resolute and courageous 
yeomanry of the country through which they passed, they 
hastened to embark on board their ships, in which they sailed for 
New York. Their killed, wounded and missing, amounted to 
about one hundred and seventy : the loss of the Americans was 
not admitted to exceed one hundred. Gen. Wooster, now in his 
seventieth year, lingered with his wounds until the 2d of May. 
Congress resolved that a monument should be erected to his 
memory. To Gen. Arnold the}'- presented a horse, properly ca- 
parisoned, as a reward for his gallantry on the occasion. 

'54, At length the British Gen. Howe, leaving New 
Jersey, embarked at Sandy Hook, with sixteen thousand 
men, and sailed for the Chesapeake. On the 14th of 
August, he landed his troops, at the head of Elk river, 
in Maryland. 

It being now obvious that his design was the occupa- 
tion of Philadelphia, Washington immediately put the 
American army in motion towards that place, to pre- 
vent, if possible, its failing into the hands of the enemy. 
The two armies met at Brandywine, Delaw^are, on the 
11th of September ; and after an engagement, which 
continued nearly all day, the Americans were compelled 
to retire. 

The loss of the Americans in this action was estimated at three 
hundred killed, and six hundred wounded. Between three and 
four hundred, principally the wounded, were made prisoners. 
The loss of the British was stated at less than one hundred killed, 
and four hundred wounded. 

In this battle several foreign officers greatly distinguished 
themselves. Among these was the heroic Lafayette, who, un- 
fortunately, while endeavoring to rally some fugitives, was wound- 
ed in the le<r. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 187 

On the night following the battle, the Americans retired to 
Chester, and the next day to Philadelphia. Not considering the 
battle of Brandywine as decisive, congress, which was sitting 
ill Philadelphia, recommended to the commander-in-chief to risk 
another engagement ; preparations for which were accordingly 
made. Washington repassed the Schuylkill, and met the enemy 
at Goshen, Sept. 16th. But a violent shower of rain occurring, 
as the advanced guards began to skirmish, the powder in the 
cartridge-boxes of the Americans became wet, and the command- 
er was compelled to withdraw his troops. 

55. An easy access to Philadelphia being now present- 
ed to the enemy, on the 26th, Howe entered the place 
without molestation. The principal part of the British 
army was stationed at Germantown, six miles from Phil- 
adelphia. Congress adjourned to Lancaster, and Wash- 
ington encamped at eighteen miles' distance from Ger- 
mantown. 

56. Immediately after the occupation of Philadelphia, 
the attention of Gen. Howe was drawn to the reduction 
of some forts on the Delaware, which rendered the nav- 
igation of that river unsafe to the British, Accordingly, 
a part of the royal army was detached for that purpose. 
Washington seized the opportunity to attack the remain- 
der at Germantown. 

This attack was made Oct. 4th ; but after a severe ac- 
tion, the Americans were repulsed, with a loss of dou- 
ble that of the British. The loss of the Americans was 
two hundred killed, six hundred wounded, and four 
hundred prisoners ; that of the British was about one 
hundred killed and five hundred wounded. 

After this action, the British removed to Philadelphia, 
where they continued long inactive. Washington re- 
treated to Skippack creek, eleven miles from German- 
town, where he encamped. 

Great was the chagrin of Washington, on account of the re 
pulse at Germantown, which was much increased by the auspi- 
cious commencement of the battle, and the flattering prospect of 
a speedy and complete victory. The ultimate fiilure of the 
Americans was attributed to the inexperience of a part of tlie 
troops, and to embarrassments arising from a fog, which increas- 
ed the darkness of the night. Congress, however, expressed 



188 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

their approbation of Washington's plan of attack, and highly ap- 
plauded the courage and firmness of the troops. 

57. While such was the progress of military opera- 
tions in the Middle States, important events were taking 
place in the north. It has already been noticed, (Sec. 28,) 
that in May, 1775, Ticonderoga and Crown Point had 
been taken by surprise, by Colonels Allen and Arnold ; 
that in the ensuing fall, Gen. Montgomery had reduced 
the fort of St. John's, [Sec. 32,) captured Montreal, and 
made an ineffectual though desperate assault upon 
Q,uebec. 

On the return of spring, the American army gradual- 
ly retired up the St. Lawrence, and after a loss of one 
post and another, in June, 1776, entirely evacuated Can- 
ada. (Sec. 33.) 

In the spring of 1777, it was settled in England, that 
an invasion of the States should be attempted from the 
ijorth, and a communication formed between Canada and 
New York. Could such a plan have been executed, it 
would obviously have precluded intercourse between 
New England and the more southern states. 

The execution of the plan was committed to Gen. 
Burgoyne, who left Canada with seven thousand troops, 
besides a powerful train of artillery, and several tribes 
of Indians. 

58. On the 1st of July, Burgoyne landed, and invest- 
ed Ticonderoga. The American garrison here amount- 
ed to three thousand men, under command of Gen. St. 
Clair, an officer of high standing. 

Deeming this force inadequate to maintain the post, 
especially as Burgoyne had taken possession of Mount 
Defiance, which commanded Ticonderoga, and not hav- 
ing provisions to sustain the army for more than twenty 
days, St. Clair perceived no safety for the garrison but 
in a precipitate flight. Accordingly, on the night of the 
5th, Ticonderoga was abandoned. By a circuitous 
march, St. Clair continued to retreat, first into Vermont, 
although closely pursued, and thence to Hudson river, 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 189 

where, after having lost one hundred and twenty pieces 
of artillery, with a quantity of mijitary stores, he joined 
Gen. Schuyler, commanding the main army of the north. 
After this junction, the whole army continued to retire 
to Saratoga and Stillwater, and at length took post on 
Van Shaick's Island, in the mouth of the Mohawk, on 
the 18th of August. 

59. After taking Ticonderoga, Gen. Burgoyne, with 
the great body of his troops, proceeded up the lake, and 
destroyed the American flotilla, and a considerable 
quantity of baggage and stores, which had been deposit- 
ed at Skeensborough. Having halted at this place for 
nearly three weeks, he proceeded to Fort Edward, on 
the. Hudson, where he did not arrive until July 30th, his 
way having been obstructed by Schuyler's army, which 
felled a great number of trees across the road, and de- 
molished the bridges, while on their retreat. 

60. While Gen. Burgoyne lay at Fort Edward, a de- 
tachment of his army, consisting of five hundred Eng- 
lish and one hundred Indians, under Col. Baum, who 
had been sent to seize a magazine of stores at Benning- 
ton, in Vermont, was totally defeated, and Col. Baum 
slain, by a party of Vermont troops called Green Moun- 
tain Boys, and a detachment of New Hampshire militia, 
under command of Gen. Stark. 

Baum, on his arrival near Bennington, learning that the 
Americans were strongly intrenched at that place, halted, and 
despatched a messenger to Gen. Burgoyne, for a reinforce- 
ment. 

Gen. Stark, now on his march, with a body of New Hampshire 
militia, to join Gen. Schuyler, receiving intelligence of Baum's 
approoch, altered his movement, and collected his force at Ben- 
nington. 

Before the expected reinforcement could arrive. Gen. Stark, 
having added to his New Hampshire corps a body of Vermont 
militia, determined to attack Baum in his intrenchments. Ac 
cordingly, on the 16th of August, an attack was made, which re- 
sulted in the flight of Baum's detachment, at the moment in 
which the reinforcement of troops, despatched by Gen. Burgoyne, 
arrived. Witli the assistance of these, the battle was now re- 
newed, but ended in the discomfiture of the British forces, and 



190 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

with a loss, on their part, of about seven hundred in killed and 
wounded. The loss of tlie Americans was about one hundred. 

61. The battle at Bennington greatly revived the 
courage of the Americans, and as greatly disappointed 
the hopes of Gen. Burgoyne, as it served materially to 
embarrass and retard his movements. 

The situation of this general, at this time, was seri 
ously perplexing, being greatly in want of provisions, and 
the course of wisdom and prudence being not a little diffi- 
cult to determine. To retreat was to abandon the ob- 
ject of his expedition ; to advance seemed replete with 
difficulty and danger. This latter step, however, at 
length, appeared the most judicious. 

Accordingly, on the 13th and 14th of September,. he 
passed the Hudson, and advanced upon Saratoga and 
Stillwater. On the 17th, his army came nearly in con- 
tact with that of the Americans, now commanded by 
Gen. Gates, who had succeeded Schuyler, August 21 : 
some skirmishing ensued, without bringing on a general 
battle. 

62. Two days after, the two armies met, and a most 
obstinate, though indecisive, engagement ensued, in 
which the Americans lost, in killed and wounded, be- 
tween three and four hundred, and the British about six 
hundred. 

On the 7th of October, the battle was renewed, by a 
movement of Gen. Burgoyne towards the left of the 
Americans, by which he intended to effect his retreat to 
the lakes. The battle was extremely severe ; and dark- 
ness only put an end to the effusion of blood. 

During the night which succeeded, an attempt was 
made by the royal army to retreat to Fort Edward. — 
While preparing to march, intelligence was received 
that this fort was already in possession of the Americans. 
No avenue to escape now appeared open. Worn down 
with constant toil and watching, and having ascertained 
that he had but three days' provisions, a council of war 
was called, which unanimously resolved to capitulate to 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 191 

Gen. Gates. Preliminaries were soon after settled, and 
the army, consisting of five thousand seven hundred 
effective men, surrendered prisoners of war on the 17th 
of October. 

Gen. Gates, immediately after the victory, despatched 
Col. Wilkinson, to carry the happy tidings to congress. 
On being introduced into the hall of congress, he said, 
*' The whole British army has laid down arms at Sarato- 
ga; our sons, full of vigor and courage, expect your or- 
ders ; it is for your wisdom to decide where the country 
may still have need of their services." 

63. It would be diliicult to describe the transports of 
joy, which the news of the surrender of Burgoyne ex- 
cited among the Americans. They now began to look 
forward to the future with sanguine hopes, and eagerly 
expected the acknowledgment of their country's inde- 
pendence by France and other European powers. The 
capitulation of Gjsn. Burgoyne, at Saratoga, was soon 
followed by an acknowledgment of the independence of 
America at the court of France,* and the conclusion of 
a formal treaty of alliance and commerce between the 
two countries — an event highly auspicious to the inter- 
ests of America. The treaty was signed Feb. 6th — 
"neither of the contracting powers to make war or 
peace, without the formal consent of the other." 

For more than a year, commissioners from congress, at the 
head of whom was Dr. Frankhn, had resided at the court of 
France, urging the above important measure. But the success 
of the American struggle was yet too doubtful for that country 
to embroil herself in a war with Great Britain. The capture of 
the British army at Saratoga seemed to increase the probability 
that the American arms would finally triumph, and decided 
France to espouse her cause. 

64. Upon the conclusion of the campaign of 1777, the 
British army retired to winter quarters in Philadelphia, 
and the American army at Valley Forge, on the Schuyl- 
kill, fifteen miles from Philadelphia. 

* Holland acknowledjied the independence of the United States in 1782, 
Sweden in Februarj', 1783 ; Denmark in the same month ; Spain in March j 
Russia in July. 



192 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

Scarcely were the American troops established in their en- 
campment, which consisted of huts, before they were in danger 
of a famine. The adjacent country Avas nearly exhausted, and 
that which it might have spared, the inhabitants concealed in 
the woods. At this time, also, bills of credit had fallen to one 
fourth of their nominal value, so that one hundred dollars, in 
paper, would command no more than twent3^-five dollars, in 
specie. In addition to these scenes of perplexity and suffering, 
the army was nearly destitute of comfortable clothing. Many, 
for want of shoes, walked barefoot on the frozen ground ; few, 
if any, had blankets for the night. Great numbers sickened. 
Near three thousand at a time were incapable of bearing arms. 
While the defenders of the country were thus suffering and per- 
ishing, the royal army was enjoying all the conveniences which 
an opulent city afforded. 

65. On the alliance of America with France, it was 
resolved in Great Britain immediately to evacuate Phila- 
delphia, and to concentrate the royal force in the city of 
New York. In pursuance of this resolution, the royal 
army, on the 18th of June, passed the Delaware, into 
New Jersey, and continued their retreat to New York. 

Gen. Washington, penetrating their design, had already sent 
forward a detachment to aid the New Jersey militia in impeding 
the progress of the enemy. With the main body of his army, he 
now crossed the Delaware in pursuit. June 28th, the two armies 
■were engaged at Monmouth, sixty-four miles from Philadejphia, 
and, after a severe contest, in which the Americans, upon the 
wliole, obtained the advantage, were separated only by night. 
Gen. Washington and his army reposed en the field cf battle, 
intending to renew the attack in the morning. But the British 
general, during the night, made good his retreat towards New 
York. 

The sufferings of both armies during this engagement, from 
the heat of the day, were unparalleled in tlie history of the revo- 
lutionary war. No less than fifty-nine British soldiers perished 
from heat, and several of the Americans died through the same 
cause. The tongues of many of the soldiers were so swollen, 
that it was impossible to retain them in the mouth. The loss of 
the Americans was eight officers and sixty-cne privates killed, 
and about one hundred and sixty wounded; that of the British, in 
killed, wounded, and missing, was three hundred and fifly-eight 
men, including officers. One hundred were taken prisoners, and 
one thousand deserted during the march. 

66. On the 1st of July, Count D'Estaing arrived at 
Newport, R. I., from France, with twelve ships of the 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 193 

line and six frigates, to act in concert with the Ameri- 
cans in an attempt on Rhode Island, which had been in 
possession of the British since December, 177G. 

Hearing of this expedition, Admiral Howe followed D'Estaing, 
and arrived in gight of Rhode Island the day after the French 
fleet had entered the harbor of Newport. On the appearance of 
Howe, the French admiral, instead of co-operating with the 
Americans, sailed out to give him battle. A storm, however, 
arising, separated the fleets. D'Estaing entered Boston to repair. 
Howe, after the storm, returned to Rhode Island, and landed 
Sir Henry Clinton, with four thousand troops ; but, fortunately, 
the Americans had raised the siege of Newport the day before, 
and lefl the island. Sir Henry Clinton soon after sailed again 
for New York. 

67. Hitherto the conquest of the States had been at- 
tempted by proceeding from north to south ; but that' 
order, towards the close of this year, began to be invert- 
ed, and the Southern States became the principal theatre 
on which the British conducted their offensive opera- 
tions. 

Georgia, being one of the weakest of the Southern 
States, was marked out as the first object of attack, in 
that quarter of the Union. 

In November, Col. Campbell was despatched from 
New York by Gov. Clinton, with ^ force of two thou- 
sand men, against Savannah, the capital of that state. 
This expedition proved successful, and Savannah, and 
with it the state of Georgia itself, fell into the power of 
the English. 

On the arrival of Campbell and his troops at Savannah, he was 
opposed by Gen. Howe, the American officer, to whom was in- 
trusted the defence of Georgia. His force, consisting of only 
six hundred continentals, and a few hundred militia, was inade- 
quate, however, to resist the enemy. After an engagement, in. 
which the Americans killed upwards of one hundred, and took 
about four hundred and fifty prisoners, with several cannon, and 
large quantities of military stores, the capital surrendered. 

In the succeeding year, 1779, Count D'Estaing, who, after re- 
pairing his fleet at Boston, had sailed for the West Indies, re- 
turned, with a design to co-operate with the Americans against 
the common enemy. In Sept. he arrived upon the coast of 
Georgia so imexpectedly, that the Experiment, a man-of-war of 
17 



194 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783 

fifty guns, and three frigates, fell into his hands. As soon as his 
arrival was known, Gen. Lincoln marched with the army under 
liis command, and a body of militia of South Carolina and Geor- 
o-ia, to co-operate with him in the reduction of Savannah. Be- 
fore Lincoln arrived, D'Estaing demanded the surrender of the 
town. This demand. Gen. Prevost, the English commander, 
requested a day to consider, which was incautiously granted. 
Before the day expired, a reinforcement of eight hundred men 
joined the standard of Prevost from Beaufort, whereupon he bid 
defiance to D'Estaing. On the arrival of Lincoln, it was deter- 
mined to lay siege to the place. Much time w^as spent in prepara- 
tion; but in an assault under D'Estaing and Lincoln, the Ameri- 
cans suffered so severely, both as to their number and in their 
works, that it was deemed expedient to abandon the project. 
Count D'Estaing re-embarked his troops, and left the continent. 

68. The campaign of 1779 was distinguished for 
nothing splendid, or decisive, on the part either of 
America or England. 

The British seemed to have aimed at little more thnn 
to distress, plunder, and consume, it having been, early 
in the year, adopted as a principle upon which to pro- 
ceed, "to render the colonies of as little avail as possible 
to their new connections." 

Actuated by these motives, an expedition was fitted 
out from New York for Virginia, which, in a predatory 
incursion, took possession of large naval stores, maga- 
zines of provisions, and great quantities of tobacco.- Af- 
ter enriching themselves with various kinds of booty, 
and burning several places, they returned to New York. 

Soon after this expedition to Virginia, a similar one, 
under the command of the infamous Gov. Tryon, was 
projected against the maritime parts of Connecticut. 
During this expedition. New Haven was plundered; 
East Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Green's Farms, 
were wantonly burnt. 

In an account of the devastations made by the English in this 
expedition, which was transmitted to congress, it appeared that 
at Fairfield there were burnt two houses of public worship, fifleen 
dwelling-houses, eleven barns, and several stores ; at Norwalk, 
two hovises of public worship, eighty dwelling-houses, sixty-seven 
barns, twenty-two stores, seventeen shops, four mills, and five 
vessels. In addition to this wanton destruction of property, va- 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 



195 



rious were the acts of brutality, rapine, and cruelty, committed 
on aged persons, women, and prisoners. At New Haven, an 
aged citizen, who labored under a natural inability of speech, had 
his tongue cut out by one of the royal army. At Fairfield, the 
deserted houses of the inhabitants were entered ; desks, trunks, 
closets, and chests, were broken open, and robbed of every thing 
valuable. Women were insulted, abused, and threatened, while 
their apparel was taken from them. Even an infant was robbed 
of its clothes, while a bayonet was pointed at the breast of its 
mother. 

About this time. Gen. Putnam, who had been stationed with a 
respectable force at Reading, in Connecticuf, then on a visit to 
liis out-post, at liorse Neck, was attacked by Gov. Tryon, with 
one thousand five hundred men. Putnam had only a picket of 
one hundred and fifty men, and two field-pieces, without horses 
or drag-ropes. He, however, placed his cannon on the high 
ground, near the meeting-house, and continued to pour in upon 
the advancing foe, until the enemy's liorse appeared upon a 
charge. The general now hastily ordered his men to retreat to 
a neighboring swamp, inaccessible to horse, while he himself put 
spurs to his steed, and plunged down the precipice at the church. 




This is so steep, as to have ^artificial stairs, composed of nearly 
one hundred stone steps, for the accommodation of worshippers 
ascending to the sanctuary. On the arrival of the dragoons at 



196 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

the brow of the hill, they paused, thinking it too dangerous to 
follow the steps of the adventurous hero. Before any could go 
round the hill, and descend, Putnam had escaped, uninjured by 
the many balls which were fired at him in his descent ; but one 
touched him, and that only passed through his hat. He proceed- 
ed to Stamford, where, having strengthened his picket with some 
militia, he boldly faced about, and pursued Gov. Tryon on his re- 
turn. 

69. The exertions of the Americans, during this cam- 
paign, were still more feeble than those of the enemy. 
Scarcely an expedition was planned which merits any 
notice, and, with the exception of the reduction of Stony 
Point, forty miles north of New York, on the Hudson, 
scarcely any thing was accomplished of importance. 
The reduction of this place, July 15th, was one of the 
boldest enterprises which occurred in the history of 
the war. 

At this time, Stony Point was in the condition of a real for- 
tress ; it was furnished with a select garrison of more than six 
hundred men, and had stores in abundance, and defensive prep- 
arations which were formidable. 

Fortified as it was. Gen. Washington ventured an attempt to 
reduce it. The enterprise was committed to Gen. Wayne, who, 
with a strong detachment of active infantry, set out towards the 
place at noon. His march of fourteen miles, over high moun- 
tains, through deep morasses, and difficult defiles, was accom- 
plished by eight o'clock in the evening. 

At the distance of a mile from the Point, Gen. Wayne halted, 
and formed his men into two columns, putting himself at the. 
head of the right. Both columns were directed to march in or- 
der and silence, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. At 
midnight, they arrived under the walls of the fort. An unexpect- 
ed obstacle now presented itself: the deep morass, which cover- 
ed the works, was, at this time, overflowed by the tide. The 
English opened a tremendous fire of musketry and of cannon 
loaded with grape-shot : but neither the inundated morass, nor a 
double palisade, nor the storm of fire that was poured upon them, 
could arrest the impetuosity of the Americans : they opened 
their way with the bayonet, prostrated whatever opposed them, 
scaled the fort, and the two columns met in the centre of the 
works. The English lost upwards of six hundred men in killed 
and prisoners. The conquerors abstained from pillage, and from 
all disorder — a conduct the more worthy, as they had still present 
in mind the ravages and butcheries which their enemies had so 
recently committed in Virginia and Connecticut. Humanity 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 197 

imparted new effulgence to the victory which valor had ob- 
tained. 

70. Another expedition, planned and executed this 
year, entitled to some notice, was one under Gen. Sul- 
livan, against the Six Nations, which, with the exception 
of the Oneidas, had been induced by the English to 
take up arms against America. 

At the head of between four and five thousand men, 
Gen. Sullivan marched into the country, up the Susque- 
hannah, and attacked the Indians, in well-constructed 
fortifications. The resistance of the savages was war- 
like. Being overpowered, however, they were obliged 
to flee. Gen. Sullivan, according to his instructions, 
proceeded to lay waste their country. Forty villages 
were consumed, and one hundred and sixty thousand 
bushels of corn were destroyed. 

71. It has already been stated, that the campaign of 
1779 was remarkable for the feeble exertions of the 
Americans. Among the causes which contributed to 
lessen their activity, the failure of the French fleet, in 
every scheme undertaken for their benefit, was no in- 
considerable one. America had expected much from 
an alliance with France, and looked to the French fleet 
under D'Estaing to hasten the downfall of British pow- 
er in the country. But when they perceived nothing 
equal to their expectation accomplished, they became 
despondent, and exertion was enfeebled. 

But another, and a still more powerful cause of these 
feeble exertions, on the part of the Americans, was the 
daily depreciation of their bills of credit. 

Bills of credit were first issued by congress in June, 1775, to 
the amount of two millions of dollars. At the expiration of 
eighteen months, twenty millions had been issued. By the year 
1780. the amount in circulation was two hundred millions. For 
their redemption, the confederated colonies were pledged — each 
colony to provide means to pay its proportion by the year 1779. 

At an early period, these bills began to depreciate. The 

progress of this depreciation is worthy of notice. Towards the 

close of 1777, the depreciation was two or three for one ; in '78, 

five or six for one ; in '79, twenty-seven or twenty-eight for one j 

17* 



198 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

in '80, fifty or sixty for one, in tJie first four or five months. 
From this date, the circulation of these bills was limited ; but 
where they passed, they soon depreciated to one hundred and 
fifty for one, and, finally, several hundreds for one. 

Several causes contributed to sink the value of the continental 
currency. The excess of its quantity at first begat a natural de- 
preciation. This v/as increased by the enemy, who counterfeit- 
ed the bills, and spread their forgeries through the States. Pub- 
lic agents, who received a commission to the amount of their 
purchases, felt it to be their interest to give a high price for all 
commodities. These causes, co-operating with the decline of 
public confidence, and the return of more selfish feelings, rapid- 
ly increased the depreciation, until bills of credit, or what has 
been commonly called " continental currency," became of little 
or no value. 

The evils which resulted frono this system were immense. 
Under it, it became extremely diflScult to raise an army, and to 
provide necessaries for its subsistence. At the same time, it 
originated discontents among the officers and soldiers, since their 
pay, in this depreciated currency, was inadequate to the support 
of their families at home. *' Four months' pay of a private 
would not procure his family a single bushel of wheat ; and the 
pay of a colonel would not purchase oats for his horse." Un- 
der circumstances like these, it reflects the highest honor upon 
Washington, that his wisdom and prudence should have been 
able to keep an army together. 

72. Towards the close of the year 1779, Sir Henry 
Clinton, committing the English garrison of New York 
to Gen. Kniphausen, embarked with a force of between 
seven and eight thousand men, for the reduction of 
Charleston, South Carolina, which important object h^ 
accomplished on the 12th of May, 1780. 

After a. tempestuous voyage of some weeks, in which several 
transports were lost, the army arrived at Savannah, whence they 
sailed on their destined purpose. On the 2d of April, 1780, Geu 
Clinton opened his batteries against Charleston. Gen. Lincoln, 
at this time, commanded the American forces of the south. 
Urged by the inhabitants, on the approach of the enemy, to con- 
tinue in Charleston, and assist in repelling the attack, he con- 
sented to remain, and, with Gov. Rutledge, industriousl}' for- 
warded preparations for defence. 

Notwithstanding these preparations, the batteries of the ene- 
my soon obtained a decided superiority over those of the town, 
and left but little reason to the besieged to hope that the}'- should 
be able to defend the place. A council of war, held on tlie 21st, 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 199 

ag;reed that a retreat would probablj'- be impracticable, and ad- 
vised that offers of capitulation should be made to Gen. Clinton, 
which might admit of the army's withdrawing, and afford secu- 
rity to the persons and property of the inhabitants. 

On the proposal of these terms, they were rejected. Hostili- 
ties were now renewed by the g-arrison. and returned with unu- 
sual ardor by the British. On the 11th of May, finding the 
longer defence of the place impracticable, a number of citizens 
addressed Gen. Lincoln, advising him to capitulate. Acqui- 
escing in the measure, painful as it was, Gen. Lincoln again pre- 
sented terms of capitulation, which being accepted, the Ameri- 
can army, amounting to 5000, together with the inhabitants of 
the place, and four hundred pieces of artillery, were surrendered 
to the British. 

The loss on both sides, during the siege, was nearly equal. 
Of tlie royal troops, seventy-six were killed, and one hundred 
and eighty-nine wounded. Of the Americans, eighty-nine were 
killed, and one hundred and forty wounded. By the articles of 
capitulation, the garrison was to march out of town, and to de- 
posit their arms in front of the works; but, as a mark of humilia- 
tion, which, eighteen months afterwards, was remembered and 
retaliated on Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, the drums were not 
to beat a British march, nor the colors to be uncased. 

73. Shortly after the surrender of Charleston, Sir 
Henry Clinton, leaving four thousand men for the south- 
ern service, under Lord Cornwallis, r^urned to New 
York. British garrisons were now posted in different parts 
of the state of South Carolina, to awe the inhabitants, and 
to secure their submission to the British government. 

The spirit of freedom, however, still remained with 
the people ; nor was it easy to subdue that spirit, how 
much soever it might be temporarily repressed by royal 
and oppressive menace. 

Notwithstanding the efforts of his majesty's servants 
to preserve quietness, the month of July did not pass by 
in peace. Gen. Sumpter, a man ardently attached to 
the cause of liberty, in several engagements in South 
Carolina, with the English and their partisans, gained 
great advantages over them, and, in one instance, re- 
duced a regiment — the prince of Wales's — from two hun- 
dred and seventy-eight to nine. 

While Sumpter was thus keeping up the spirits of the 



200 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

people by a succession of gallant exploits, a respectable 
force was advancing through the Middle States, for the 
relief of their southern brethren. 

74. The southern army, now placed under the com- 
mand of Gates, the hero of Saratoga, Gen. Lincoln hav- 
ing been superseded, amounted to four thousand ; but, 
of these, scarcely one thousand were regular troops, the 
rest consisting of militia, from North Carolina, Mary- 
land, and Virginia. 

As this army approached South Carolina, Lord Raw- 
don, who commanded on the frontier, under Lord Corn- 
wallis, concentrated the royal forces, two thousand in 
number, at Camden, one hundred and twenty miles 
north-west from Charleston. Here Cornwallis, on learn 
ing the movements of the Americans, joined |him. 

On the morning of the 16th of August, the two armies 
met, and a severe and general action ensued, in which, 
through the unpardonable failure of the militia, the Brit- 
ish gained a decided advantage. 

At the first onset, a lai-ge body of the Virginia militia, under a 
charge of the British infantry with fixed bayonets, threw down 
their arms, and fled. A considerable part of the North Carolina 
militia followed their unworthy example. But the continental 
troops evinced the most unyielding firmness, and pressed forward 
with unusual ardor. Never did men acquit themselves more 
honorably. They submitted only when forsaken by their bretli- 
ren in arms, and when overpowered by numbers. 

In this battle, the brave Baron de Kalb, second in command, 
at the head of the Marylanders.fell, covered with wounds, ^^ilich 
he survived only a few days. De Kalb was a German by birth, 
and had formerly served in the armies of the French. In con- 
sideration of his distinguished merit, as an officer and soldier, 
congress resolved that a monument should be erected to hia 
memory at Annapolis. 

The battle of Camden was exceedingly bloody. The field of 
battle, the road and swamps, for some distance, were covered with 
wounded and slain. The number of Americans killed, although 
not certain, probably amounted to between six and seven hun- 
dred, and the wounded and prisoners to one thousand three hun- 
dred, or one thousand four hundred. The British stated their 
loss to be only three hundred and twenty-four, in killed and 
wounded j but it was probably much greater. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 201 

75. The disaster of the army under Gen. Gates, 
overspread, at first, the face of American affairs, with a 
dismal gloom ; but the day of prosperity to the United 
States began, as will appear in the sequel, from that 
moment, to dawn. 

Their prospects brightened, while those of their ene- 
mies were obscured by disgrace, broken by defeat, and, 
at last, covered with ruin. Elated with their victories, 
the conquerors grew more insolent and rapacious, while 
the real friends of independence became (resolute and 
determined. 

76. While the campaign of 1780 was thus filled up 
vv^ith important events in the southern department, it 
passed away, in the Northern States, in successive disap- 
pointments, and reiterated distresses. 

In June, a body of five thousand of the enemy, un- 
der Gen. Kniphausen, entered New Jersey, and, in ad- 
dition to plundering the country, wantonly burnt several 
villages. 

On the arrival of this body at Connecticut Farms, a small 
settlement, containing about a dozen houses and a church, they 
burnt the whole. At this place there resided a Presbyterian 
minister, by the name of Caldwell, who had taken a conspicuous 
part in the cause of freedom, and who had, of course, incurred 
the deep displeasure of Gen. Kniphausen. Supposing, however, 
that the general's resentment would be confined to him, and that 
his family would be safe, on the approach of the enemy, he hasti- 
ly withdrew, leaving his wife and children to their mercy. Col. 
Drayton had previously withdrawn the militia from the place, 
that there might be no pretext for enormities ; but the British 
soldiers, in the American war, did not wait for pretexts to be 
cruel. Mrs. Caldwell was shot in the midst of her children, by 
a villain, who walked up to the window of the room in which 
she was sitting, and took deliberate aim with his musket. This 
atrocious act was attempted to be excused as an accident, as a 
random shot ; but the attempt at palliation served only to in- 
crease the crime. 

77. Besides these predatory incursions, by which the 
inhabitants suffered alarm, distress, and destruction of 
property, they suffered greatly, also, from the constantly 
diminishing value of their paper currency, and from 
unfavorable crops. 



202 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

The situaticn of Gen. Washington, often, during the war, em 
barrassing, had been distressing through the Vvinter, in his en- 
campment at Morristown. Tlie cold was more intense than it 
had ever been known to be before in this chmate, witliin the 
memory of tlie oldest inhabitant. The winter, to this day, bears 
the distinctive epithet of the liard winter. The army suffered 
extremely ; and often had Washington the prospect before him 
of being obliged to break up his encampment, and disband his 
soldiers. 

The return of spring brought little alleviation to their distress. 
Great disorder pervaded the departments for supplying the army. 
Abuses crept in, frauds were practised, and, notwithstanding the 
poverty of the country, economy, on the part of the commission- 
ers, was exiled. 

In May, a committee from congress visited the army, and re- 
ported lo that body an account of the distresses and disorders 
conspicuously prevalent. In particular, they stated, '' that the 
army was unpaid for five months ; that it seldom had more than 
eix days' provisions in advance, and was, on several occasions, 
for sundry successive days, without meat j that the medical de- 
partment had neither sugar, coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, nor 
spirituous liquors of any kind; and that every department of 
the army was without money, and had not even the shadow of 
credit left." 

78. But, under all this tide of evils, there appeared no 
disposition, in public bodies, to purchase their relief by 
concession. They seemed, on the contrary, to rise in 
the midst of their distresses, and to gain firmness and 
strength by the pressure of calamity. 

79. Fortunately for the Americans, as it seemed, M. 
dc' Tern ay arrived at Rhode Island, July 10th, from 
France, with a squadron of seven sail of the line, five 
frigates, and five smaller armed vessels, with several 
transports, and six thousand men, all under command 
of Lieutenant-Generaf Count de Rochambeau. Great 
was the joy excited by this event, and high-raised ex- 
pectations were indulged from the assistance of so pow- 
erful a force against the enemy. But the British fleet 
in our waters was still superior ; and that of the French, 
and' the French army, Avere, for a considerable time, 
incapacitated from co-operating with the Americans, by 
being blocked up at Rhode Island. 

The arrival of the French fleet at Newport v/as greeted by the 
citizens with every demonstration of joy. The town was illu- 



WxiR OF THE REVOLUTION. 203 

minated, and congratulatory addresses were exchanged. As a 
symbol of friendsliip and atlection for the allies, Gen. Washing- 
ton recommended to the American officers to wear black and 
white cockades, the ground to be of the first color, and the re- 
lief of the second. 

80. The fortress of West Point, on the Hudson, sixty 
miles north of New York, and its importance to the 
Americans, have already been noticed. Of this fortress 
Gen. Arnold had solicited and obtained the command. 
Soon after assuming the command, Arnold entered into 
negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton, to make such a dispo- 
sition of the forces in the fortress, as that the latter might 
easily take possession of it by surprise. Fortunately 
for America, this base plot was seasonably discovered' 
to prevent the ruinous consequences that must have fol- 
lowed. Arnold, however, escaped to the enemy loaded 
with infamy and disgrace. Andre, the agent of the 
British in this negotiation, was taken, and justly expi- 
ated his crime on the gallows, as a spy. 

Major Andre, at this time adjutant-general of the British army, 
was an officer extremely young, but high-minded, brave, and ac- 
complished. He was transported, in a vessel called the. Vulture, 
up the North river, as near to West Point as was practicable, 
without exciting suspicion. On the 21st of September, at night, 
a boat was sent from the shore, to bring him. On its return, Ar- 
nold met him at the beach, without the posts of either army. 
Their business was not finished till too near the dawn of day 
for Andre to return to the Vulture. He, therefore, lay concealed 
within the American lines. During the day, the Vulture found 
it necessary to change her position ; and Andre, not being able 
now to get on board, was compelled to attempt his return to New 
York by land. 

Having changed his military dress for a plain coat, and receiv- 
ing a passport from Arnold, under the assumed name of John 
Anderson, he passed the guards and outposts, without suspicion. 
On his arrival at Tarrytown, a village thirty miles north of New 
York, in the vicinity of the first British posts, he was met by 
three militia soldiers — John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac 
Van Wert. He showed them his passport, and they suffered him 
to continue his route. Immediately after this, one of these three 
men, thinking that he perceived something singular in the per- 
son of the traveller, called him back. Andre asked them where 
they were from. " From down below," they replied, intending 
to say, from New York. Too frank to suspect a snare, Andre 
immediately answered, '• And so am I." 



204 



V. — 1775 



1783. 



Upon this, they arrested him, when he declared himself to be a 
British officer, and offered them his watch, and all the gold he 
had with him, to be released. These soldiers were poor and ob- 
scure, but they were not to be bribed. Resolutely refusing his 
offers, they conducted him to Lieutenant-Col. Jameson, their com- 
manding officer. 




Jameson injudiciously permitted Andre, still calling himself 
Anderson, to write to Arnold, who immediately escaped on board 
the Vulture, and took refuge in New York. 

Washington, on his way to head-quarters, from Connecticut, 
where he had been to confer with Count de Rochambeau, provi- 
dentially happened to be at West Point just at this time. After 
taking measures to insure the safety of the fort, he appointed a 
board, of which Gen. Greene was president, to decide, upon the 
condition and punishment of Andre. 

After a patient hearing of the case, September 29th, in which 
every feeling of kindness, liberality, and generous sympathy, was 
strongly evinced, the board, upon his own confession, unani- 
mously pronounced Andre a spij, and declared that, agreeably to 
the laws and usages of nations, he ought to suffer death. 

Major Andre had many friends in the American army ; and 
even Washington would have spared him, had duty to his 
country permitted. Every possible effort was made by Sir Hen- 
ry Clinton in his favor ; but it was deemed important that the de 



■WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 205 

cision of the board of war should be carried into execution. 
When Major Andre was apprized of the sentence of death, he 
made a last appeal, in a letter to Washington, that he might be 
shot, rather than die on a gibbet. 

'•'Buoyed above the terrors of death," said he, "by the con- 
sciousness of a life devoted to honorable pursuits, and stained 
with no action that can give me remorse, I trust that the request 
I make to your excellency at this serious period, and which is to 
soften my last moments, will not be rejected. Sympathy towards 
a soldier will surely induce your excellency , and a military tribunal, 
to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings of a man of honor 
Let me hope, sir, that, if aught in my character impresses you 
with esteem towards me, as a victim of policy and not of resent- 
ment, I shall experience the operation of those feelings in your 
breast, by being informed that I am not to die on a gibbet." 

This letter of Andre roused the sympathies of Washington ; 
and had he only been concerned, the prisoner would have been 
pardoned and released. But the interests of his country were at 
stake, and the sternness of justice demanded that private feelings 
should be sacrificed. Upon consulting his officers, on the pro- 
priety of Major Andre's request, to receive the death of a sol- 
dier, — to be shot. — it was deemed necessary to deny it, and to 
make him an example. On the 2d of October, this unfortunate 
young man expired on the gallows, while foes and friends uni- 
versally lamented his untimely end. 

As a reward to Paulding, Williams and Van Wert, for their 
virtuous and patriotic conduct, congress voted to each of them 
an annuity of two hundred dollars, and a silver medal, on one 
side of which was a shield with this inscription — '' Fidelity," — 
and on the other, the following motto — " Vincit amor j^atrica" — 
the love of country conquers. 

Arnold, the miserable wretch, whose machinations led to the 
melancholy fate Andre experienced, escaped to New York, 
where, as the price of his dishonor, he received the commission 
of brigadier-general, and the sum of ten tltousand povnds sterling. 
This last boon was the grand secret of Arnold's fall from virtue ; 
his vanity and extravagance had led him into expenses vvhich it 
was neither in the power nor will of congress to support. He 
had involved himself in debt, from Vv'hich he saw no hope of 
extricating himself; and his honor, therefore, was bartered for 
British gold. 

81. Gen. Washington, having learned whither Arnold 
had fled, deemed it possible still to take him, and to 
bring him to the just reward of his treachery. To ac- 
complish an object so desirable, and, at the same time, 
in so doing, to save Andre, Washington devised a plan 
18 



206 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

which, although it ultimately failed, evinced the ca- 
pacity of his mind, and his unwearied ardor for his 
country's good. 

Having matured the plan, Washington sent to Major Lee to 
repair to head-qUarters, at Tappan, on the Hudson. *• I have 
sent for you,' said Gen. Washington," in the expectation that you 
have some one in your corps, who is willing to undertake a del- 
icate and hazardous project. Whoever comes forward will confer 
great obligation upon me personally, and, in behalf of the United 
States, I will reward him amply. No time is to be lost : he must 
proceed, if possible, to-night. I intend to seize Arnold, and save 
Andre." 

Major Lee named a sergeant-major of his corps, by the name 
of Champe, a native of Virginia, a man full of bone and muscle, 
vrith a countenance grave, thoughtful, and taciturn — -of tried 
courage, and inflexible perseverance. 

Chnrnpe w^as sent for by Major Lee, and the plan proposed. This 
was for him to desert — to escape to New York — to appear friendly 
to the enemy — to watch Arnold, and, upon some fit opportunity, 
with the assistance of some one whom Champe could trust, to 
seize him, and conduct him to a place on the river, appointed, 
where boats should be in readiness to bear them away. 

Champe listened to the plan attentively, but, with the spirit 
of a man of honor and integrity, replied, '• that it was not 
danger nor difficulty that deterred him from immediately accept- 
ing the proposal, but the ignovdny of desertion, and the hypocrisy 
of enlisting xcith the enemy! " 

To these objections Lee replied, that although he would ap- 
pear to desert, yet, as he obeyed the call of his commander-m- 
chief, his departure could not be considered as criminal, and that, 
if he suffered in reputation for a time, the matter would one day 
be explained to his credit. Ks to the second objection, it was 
urged, that to bring such a man as Arnold to justice — loaded 
with guilt as he was — and to save Andre — so young, so ac 
complished, so beloved — to achieve so much good in the cause 
of his country — was more than sufficient to balance a wrong, ex- 
isting only in appearance. 

The objections of Champe were at length surmounted, and he 
accepted the service. It was now eleven o'clock at night. With 
his instructions in his pocket, the sergeant returned to camp, 
and, taking his cloak, valise, and orderly-book, drew his horse 
from the picket, and mounted, putting himself upon fortune. 

Scarcely had half an hour elapsed, before Capt. Carnes, the 
officer of the day, waited upon Lee, who was vainly attempting 
to rest, and informed him, that one of the patrol had fallen in 
with a dragoon, who, being challenged, put s})urs to his horse 
and escaped. Lee, hoping to conceal the flight of Champe, or 
at least to delay pursuit, complained of fatigue, and told the 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 



207 



capidin that the patrol had probably mistaken a countryman for a 
dragoon. Carnes, however, was not thus tobe quieted ; and he with- 
drew to assemble his corps. On examination, it was found that 
Champe was absent. The captain now returned, and acquainted 
Lee with the discovery, adding, that he had detached a party to 
pursue the deserter, and begged the major's written orders. 

After making as much delay as practicable, without exciting 
suspicion, Lee delivers his orders — in which he directed the 
party to take Champe if possible. '^ Bring him alive," said he 
" that he may suffer in the presence of the army; but kill him if 
he resists, or if he escapes after being taken." 

A shower of rain fell soon after Champe 's departure, which 
enabled the pursuing dragoons to take the trail of his horse, his 
shoes, in common with those of the horses of the army, being 
made in a peculiar form, and each having a private mark, Avhich 
was to be seen in the path. 

Middleton, the leader of the pursuing party, left the camp a few 
minutes past twelve, so that Champe had the start of but little 
more than an hour — a period by far shorter than had been con- 
templated. During the night, the dragoons were often delayed in 
the necessary halts to examine the road ; but, on the coming 
of morning, the impression of the horse's shoes was so apparent, 
that they pressed on with rapidity. Some miles above Bergen, 
a village three miles north of New York, on the opposite side of 




the Hudson, on ascending a hill, Champe was descried, not more 
tlian half a mile distant. Fortunately, Champe descried his 



208 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

pursuers at the same moment, and. conjecturing their object, put 
spurs to his horse, with the hope of escape. 

By taking a different road, Champe was, for a time, lost siglrt 
of; but, on approaching the river, he was again descried. Aware 
of his danger, he now lashed his valise, containing his clothes and 
orderly-book, to his shoulders, and prepared himself to plunge 
into the river, if necessa,ry. 

Swift was his flight, and swift the pursuit. Middleton and 
his party were within a few hundred yards, when Champe threw 
himself from his horse, and plunged into the river, calling aloud 
upon some British galleys, at no great distance, for help. A 
boat vras instantly despatched to the sergeant's assistance, and a 
fire commenced upon the pursuers. Champe was taken on board, 
and soon after carried to New York, with a letter from the captain 
of the galley, stating the past scene, all of which he had 
witnessed. 

The pursuers, having recovered the sergeant's horse and cloak, 
returned to camp, where they arrived about three o'clock the 
next day. On their appearance with the well-known horse, the 
soldiers made the air resound with acclamations that the scoun- 
drel was killed. The agony of Lee, for a moment, was past de- 
scription, lest the faithful, honorable, intrepid Champe had fall- 
en. But the truth soon relieved his fears, and he repaired to 
Washington to impart to him the success, thus far, of his plan. 

Soon after the arrival of Champe in New York, he was sent to 
Sir Henry Clinton, who treated him kindly, but detained him 
more than an hour in asking him questions, to answer some of 
which, without exciting suspicion, required all the art the ser- 
geant was master of. He succeeded, however, and Sir Henry 
gave him a couple of guineas, and recommended him to Arnold, 
who was wishing to procure American recruits. Arnold received 
him kindly, and^'proposed to him to join his legion ; Champe, 
however, expressed his wish to retire from war; but assured the 
general, that, if he should change his mind, he would enlist. 

Champe found means to communicate to Lee an account of 
his adventures ; but, unfortunately, he could not succeed in taking 
Arnold, as w^as wished, before the execution of Andre. Ten 
days before Champe brought his project to a" conclusion, Lee re- 
ceived from him his final communication, appointing the third 
subsequent night for a party of dragoons to meet him at Hoboken, 
opposite New York, when he hoped to deliver Arnold to the 
officers. 

Champe had enlisted into Arnold's legion, from which time 
he had every opportunity he covild wish to attend to the habits 
of the general. He discovered that it was his custom to return 
home about twelve every Might, and that, previously to going to 
bed, he always visited the garden. During this visit, the conspir- 
ators were to seize him, and, being prepared with a gag, they 
were to apply the same instantly. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 209 

Adjoining" the house in which Arnold resided, and in which it 
was designed to seize and gag him,Champe had taken off several 
of the palings, and replaced them, so that, with ease, and without 
noise, he could readily open his way to the adjoining alley. Into 
this alley he intended to conyey his prisoner, aided by his com- 
panion, one of two associates, who had been introduced by the 
friend to whom Champe had been originally made known by 
letter from the commander-in-chief, and with whose aid and 
counsel he had so far conducted the enterprise. His other as- 
sociate was, with the boat, prepared at one of the wharves on the 
Hudson river to receive the party. 

Champe and his friend intended to place themselves each un- 
der Arnold's shoulder, and thus to bear him through the most 
unfrequented alleys and streets to the boat, representing Arnold, 
in case of being questioned, as a drunken soldier, whom they 
were conveying to the guard-house. 

When arrived at the boat, the difficulties would be all sxir- 
mounted, there being no danger nor obstacle in passing to the 
Jersey shore. These particulars, as soon as made known to Lee, 
v/ere communicated to the commander-in-chief, who was highly 
gratified with the much-desired intelligence. He desired Major 
Lee to meet Champe, and to take care that Arnold should not 
be hurt. 

The day arrived, and Lee, with a party of accoutred horses, 
(one for Arnold, one for the sergeant, and the third for his asso- 
ciate, who was to assist in securing Arnold.) left the camp, never 
doubting the success of the enterprise, from the tenor of the 
last-received communication. The party reached Hoboken about 
midnight, where they were concealed in the adjoining wood — 
Lee, with three dragoons, stationing himself near the shore of 
the river. Hour after hour passed, but no boat approached. 

At length the da)'- broke, and the major retired to his party, 
and, with his led horses, retvirned to the camp, where he pro- 
ceeded to head-quarters to inform the general of the much-la- 
mented disappointment, as mortifying as inexplicable. Wash- 
ington, having perused Champe's plan and communication, had 
indulged the presumption, that, at length, the object of his keen 
and constant pursuit was sure of execution, and did not dissemble 
the joy which such a conviction produced. He was chagrined 
at the issue, and apprehended that his faithful sergeant must 
have been detected in the last scene of his tedious and difficult 
enterprise. 

In a few days, Lee received an anonymous letter from Champe's 
patron and friend, informing him that, on the day preceding the 
night fixed for the execution of the plot, Arnold had removed 
his quarters to another part of the town, to siiperintend the em- 
barkation of troops, preparing, as was rumored, for an expedition 
to be directed by himself; and that the American legion, con- 

18* 



210 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783, 

sisting chiefly of American deserters, had been transferred from 
their barracks to one of the transportri, it being apprehended that, 
if left on shore until the expedition was ready, many of them 
might desert. 

Thus it happened that John Champe, instead of crossing the 
Rudson that night, was safely deposited on board one of the fleet 
of tronsports, from whence he never departed, xxntil the troops 
under Arnold landed in Virginia. Nor was he able to escape 
from the British army, until after the junction of Lord Corn- 
v/allis at Petersburg, when he deserted ; and, proceeding high 
up into Virginia, he passed into North Carolina, near tlie S.aura 
tovr-ns, and, keeping in the friendly districts of that state, safely 
joined the army soon after it had passed the Congaree,in pursuit 
of Lord Rawdon. 

His appearance excited extreme surprise among his former 
comrades, which was not a little increased, when they saw the 
cordi'vl reception he met with from the late Major, now Lieut.- 
Col. Lee. His whole story was soon known to the corps, which 
reproduced the love and respect of officers and soldiers, hereto- 
fore invariably entertained for the sergeant, heightened by uni- 
versal admiration of his late daring and arduous attempt. 

Champe was introduced to Gen. Greene, who very cheerfully 
complied with the promise made by the commander-in-chief, so 
far as in his power; and, having provided the sergeant with a 
'■good horse and money for his journey, sent him to Gen. Wash- 
ington, who munificently anticipated every desire of the ser- 
geant, and presented him with a discharge from further service, 
lest he might, in the vicissitudes of war, fall into the hands of 
the enemy, when, if recognized, he was sure to die on a gibbet. 

We shall only add, respecting the after life of this interesting 
adventurer, that when Gen. Washington was called by President 
AdamSj in 1793, to the command of the army, prepared to de- 
fend the country against French hostility, he sent to Lieut.-Col. 
Lee, to inquire for Champe, being determined to bring him into 
the field at the head of a company of infantry. Lee sent to Lou- 
don county, Virginia, where Champe settled after his discharge 
from the army ; when he learned, that the gallant soldier had 
removed to Kentucky, where he soon after died.* 

82. The year 1781 opened with an event extremely 
afflicting to Gen. Washington, and which, for a time, 
seriously endangered the American army. This was 
the revolt of the whole Pennsylvania line of troops, at 
Morristown, to the number of one thousand three hun- 
dred. The cause of this mutiny was want of pay, cloth- 

* Lee's Memoirs. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 211 

ing, and provisions. Upon examination of the griev- 
ances of the troops, by a committee from congress, their 
complaints were considered to be founded in justice. 
Upon their being redressed, the troops whose time of 
service had expired, returned home, and the rest cheer- 
fully repaired again to camp. 

Gen. Wayne, who commanded these troops, and who was 
j»reatly respected by them, used every exertion to quiet them, 
but in vain. In the ardor of remonstrance with them, he cocked 
his pistol, and turned towards them. Instantly, a hundred bayo- 
nets were directed towards him, and the men cried out, '' We love 
jj'ou, we respect you ; but you are a dead man, if you fire. Do 
not mistake us ; we are not going to the enemy. On the con- 
trary, were they nov/ to come out, you should see us fight under 
your orders with as much resolution and alacrity as ever." 

Leaving the camp, the mutineers proceeded in a body to 
Princeton. Thither Sir Henry Clinton, who had heard of the 
revolt, sent agents to induce them to come over to the British, 
with the promise of large rewards. 

But these soldiers loved their country's cause too well to listen 
to proposals so reproachful. They were suffering privations 
which could no longer be sustained ; but they spurned with dis- 
dain the offer of the enemy. They also seized the agents of the 
British, and nobly delivered them up to Gen. Wayne, to be treat- 
ed as spies. 

83. In the midst of these troubles, arising from dis- 
contents of the troops, news arrived of great depredations 
in Virginia, by Arnold, who had left New York for the 
south, with one thousand six hundred men, and a num- 
ber of armed vessels. Extensive outrages were commit- 
ted by these troops in that part of the country. Large 
quantities of tobacco, salt, rum, &:.c., were destroyed. 
In this manner did Arnold show the change of spirit 
which had taken place in his breast, and his fidelity to 
his new engagements. 

Upon receiving nev/s of these depredations, at the request 
of Gen. Washington, a French squadron, from Rhode Island, 
was sent to cut off Arnold's retreat. Ten of his vessels wexe 
destroyed, and a forty-four gun ship was captured. Shortly after 
this, an engagement took place off the Capes of Virginia, be- 
tween tlie French and English squadrons, which terminated so 
far to the advantage of the English, that Arnold v/as saved from 



212 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 17S3. 

imminent danger of falling into the hands of his exasperated 
countrymen. 

§4. After the unfortunate battle at Camden, August 
16th, 1780, congress thought proper to remove Gen. 
Gates, and to appoint Gen. Greene in his place. In 
December, 1780, Greene assumed the command. The 
army, at this time, was reduced to two thousand men, 
more than half of whom were militia, and all were mis- 
erably fed and clothed. 

With this force, Gen. Greene took the field, against a 
superior regular force, flushed with successive victories 
through a whole campaign. Soon after taking the com- 
mand, he divided his force, and, with one part, sent 
Gen. Morgan to the western extremity of South Caro- 
lina. 

At this time, Lord Cornwallis was nearly prepared to 
invade North Carolina. Unwilling to leave such an 
enemy as Morgan in the rear, he despatched Col. Tarle- 
ton to engage Gen. Morgan, and " to push him to the ut- 
most." 

85. January 17th, 1781, these two detachments met, 
when was fought the spirited battle of the Cowpens, in 
which the American arms signally triumphed. 

In this memorable battle, the British lost upwards of one hun- 
dred killed, among whom were ten commissioned officers, and 
two hundred wounded. More than five hundred prisoners fell 
into the hands of the Americans, besides two pieces of artillery, 
twelve standards, eight hundred muskets, thirty-five baggage 
wagons, and one hundred dragoon horses : the loss of the Ameri- 
cans was no more than twelve killed, and sixty wounded. 

The victory of the Cowpens must be reckoned as one of the 
most brilliant achieved during the revolutionary war. The force 
of Morgan hardly amounted to five hundred, while that of his 
adversary exceeded one thousand. Morgan's brigade were prin- 
cipally militia, while Tarleton commanded the flower of the 
British army. 

86. Upon receiving the intelligence of Tarleton's de- 
feat, Cornwallis abandoned the invasion of North Caro- 
lina for the present, and marched in pursuit of Gen. 
Morgan. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 213 

Greene, suspecting his intentions, hastened with his 
army to join Morgan. This junction was at length 
effected, at Ouilford Court-House, after a fatiguing 
march, in which Cornwallis nearly overtook him, and 
was prevented only by the obstruction of a river. 

After his junction with Morgan, Gen. Greene, with 
his troops and baggage, crossed the river Dan, and en- 
tered Virginia, again narrowly escaping the British, who 
were in close pursuit. 

87. Satisfied with having driven Greene from North 
Carolina, Cornwallis, retired to Hillsborough, where, 
erecting the royal standard, he issued his proclamation, 
inviting the loyalists to join him. Many accepted his 
invitation. At the same time, he despatched Tarleton, 
with four hundred and fifty men, to secure the counte- 
nance of a body of loyalists, collected between the Hawe 
and Deep rivers. ' 

88. Apprehensive of Tarleton's success, Gen. Greene, 
on the 18th of February, recrossed'the Dan into Caroli- 
na, and despatched Generals Pickens and Lee to watch 
the movements of the enemy. These officers were unable 
to bring Tarleton to an engagement. Gen. Greene, hav- 
ing now received a reinforcement, making his army four 
thousand five hundred strong, concentrated his forces, 
and directed his march towards Guilford Court-House, 
whither Lord Cornwallis had retired. 

Here, on the 8th of March, a general engagement 
took place, in which victory, after alternately passing to 
the banners of each army, finally decided in favor of the 
British. 

The British loss, in this battle, exceeded five hundred in killed 
and wounded, among whom were several of the most distinguish- 
ed officers. The American loss was about four hundred, in kill- 
ed and wounded, of which more than three fourths fell upon the 
continentals. Though the numerical force of Gen. Greene 
nearly doubled that of Cornwallis, yet, when we consider the dif- 
ference between these forces, the shameful conduct of the North 
Carolina militia, who fled at the first fire , the desertion of the 
second Maryland regiment, and that a body of reserve was not 



214 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

brought into action, it will appear, that our numbers actually en- 
gaged but little exceeded that of the enemy. 

89. JN^otwithstanding the issue of the above battle. 
Gen. Greene took the bold resolution of leading back his 
forces to South Carolina, and of attacking the enemy's 
strong post at Camden, in that state. Accordingly, on 
the 9th of April, he put his troops in motion, and, on the 
'20th, encamped at Logtown, within sight of the enemy^s 
works. Lord Rawdon, at this time, held the command 
at Camden, and had a force of only nine hundred men. 
The army of Gen. Greene — a detachment having been 
made for another expedition under Gen. Lee — amounted 
scarcely to twelve hundred men of all classes. 

On the 25th, Lord Rawdon drew out his forces, and 
the two armies engaged. For a season, victory seemed 
inclined to the Americans ; but, in the issue, Gen. Greene 
found himself obliged to retreat. 

The American loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, was two 
hundred and sixty-eight; the English loss was nearly equal. 
The failure of the victory, in this battle, was not attributable, as, 
in some cases, to the flight of the militia, when danger had 
scarcely begun ; but Gen. Greene experienced tlie mortification 
of seeing a regiment of veterans give way to an inferior force, 
when every circumstance was in their favor — the very regiment, 
too, M^hich, at the battle of the Cowpens, behaved with such he- 
roic bravery. 

90. Although the British arms gained the victory of 
Camden, the result of the whole was favorable to the 
American cause.- Gen. Lee, with a detachment de- 
spatched for that purpose, while Greene was marching 
against Camden, took possession of an important posi at 
Mottes, near the confluence of the Congaree and Santee 
rivers. This auspicious event was followed by the evacu- 
ation of Camden by Lord Rav/don, and of the whole 
line of British posts, with the exception of Ninety-Six 
and Charleston. 

91. Ninety-Six, one hundred and forty-seven miles 
north-west from Charleston, was garrisoned by five hun- 
dred and sixty men. Against this post, after the battle: 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 215 

of Camden, Gen. Greene took up his march, and, on the 
22d of May, sat down before it. Soon after the siege of 
it had been commenced, intelHgence arrived that Lord 
Rawdon had been reinforced by troops from Ireland, 
and was on his march, with two thousand men, for its 
relief. Greene now determined upon an assault; but in 
this he failed, with a loss of one hundred and fifty men. 

Soon after his arrival at Ninety-Six, Lord Rawdon 
deemed it expedient to evacuate this post. Retiring 
himself to Charleston, his army encamped at the Eutaw 
Springs, forty miles from Charleston. 

9'2. Gen. Greene, having retired to the high hills of 
Santee, to spend the hot ^nd sickly season, in Septem- 
ber approached the enemy at the Eutaw Springs. On 
the morning of the Sth, he advanced upon him, and the 
battle between the two armies became general. The 
contest was sustained with equal bravery on both sides ; 
victory seemed to decide in favor of neither. 

THie British lost, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about one 
thousand one hundred. The loss of the Americans was five 
hundred and fifty-five. 

93. The battle of the Eutaw Springs was the last 
general action that took place in South Carolina, and 
nearly finished the war in that quarter. The enemy now 
retired to Charleston. 

Thus closed the campaign of 1781, in South Carolina. Few 
commanders have ever had greater difficulties to encounter than 
Gen. Greene ; and few have ever, with the same means, accom- 
plished so much. Though never so decisively victorious, yet the 
battles which he fought, either from necessity or choice, were 
alwa3^s so well managed as to result to his advantage. 

Not unmindful of his eminent services, congress presented him 
with a British standard, and a gold medal, emblematical of the 
action at the Eutaw Springs, which restored a sister state to the 
American Union. 

94. After the battle of Guilford, between Greene and 
Cornwallis, noticed above, the latter, leaving South 
Carolina in charge of Lord Rawdon; commenced his 
march towards Petersburg, in Virgima,- where he arrived 



216 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

on the 20th of May. Having received several reinforce- 
ments, he found himself with an army of eight thousand, 
and indulged the pleasing anticipations that Virginia 
would soon be made to yield to his arms. 

Early in the spring. Gen. Washington had detached the Mar- 
quis de Lafayette, with three thousand rrrenj to co-operate with 
the French fleet, in Virginia, in the captu/re of Arnold, who was. 
committing depredations in tliat state. On the failure of this 
expedition, Lafayette marched back as far as the head of Elk 
river. Here he recerved orders to return to Virginia, to oppose 
the British. On his return, hearing of the advance ofCornwallis 
towards Petersburg, twent}' miles below Richmond, he hastened 
his march, to prevent, if possible, the junction of Corn wallis with 
a reinforcement under Gen. Phillips. In this, however, he 
failed. 

The junction being effected at Petersburg, CornwaHis moved 
towards James river, which he crossed, with the intention of 
forcing the marquis to a battle. 

Prudence forbade the marquis risking an engagement with an 
enemy of more than twice his force. He therefore retreated, 
and, notwithstanding the uncommon efforts of his lordship to 
prevent it, he effected a junction with Gen. Wayne, who had 
Iseen despatched by Washington, with eight hundred Pennsyl- 
vania militia, to his assistance. After this reinforcement, the 
disproportion between himself and his adversary was still too 
great to permit him to think of battle. He continued his retreat, 
therefore, displaying, in all his manoeuvres, the liighest pru- 
dence. 

95. While these things were transpiring in Virginia, 
matters of high moment seemed to be in agitation in the 
north, which, not long after, were fully developed. 

Early in May, 1781, a plan of the whole campaign 
had been arranged by Gen. Washington, in consultation, 
at Wethersfield, Connecticut, with Generals Knox and 
Du Portail, on the part of the Americans, and Count de 
Rochambeau, on the part of France. The grand pro- 
ject of the season w^as'to lay siege to New York, in con- 
cert with a French fleet, expected on the coast in 
August. 

In the prosecution of this plan, the French troops were march- 
ed from Rhode Island, and joined Gen. Washington, who had 
concentrated his forces at Kinjrsbridge, fifteen miles above New 
York. All things were preparing fur a vigorous siege, and to 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 217 

wards this strongest hold of the enemy, the eyes oi all were in- 
tently directed. 

In this posture of things, letters addressed to Gen. Washington 
informed him that the expected French fleet, under the Count 
de Grasse, would soon arrive in the Chesapeake, and that this, 
instead of New York, was the place of its destination. 

96, The intelligence that the co-operation of the above 
fleet was not to be expected, with other circumstances, 
induced Washington to change the plan of operations, 
and to direct his attention to Cornwallis, who, from 
pursuing Lafayette, had retired to Yorktown, near the 
mouth of York river, and had fortified that place. With 
this object in view, on the 19th of July, he drew off his 
forces from New York, and, having hastened the re- 
moval of his troops from various points, on the 30th of 
Sept., the combined armies, amounting to twelve thou- 
sand, moved upon Yorktown and Gloucester, while the 
Count de Grasse, with his fleet, proceeded up to the 
mouth of York river, to prevent Cornwallis either from 
retreating, or receiving assistance. 

Yorktown is a small village on the south side of York river, 
whose southern banks are high, and in whose waters a ship 
of the line may ride in safety. Gloucester Point is a piece of 
land on the opposite shore, projecting far into the river. Both 
tliese posts were occupied by Cornwallis — the main body of the 
army being at York, under the immediate command of his lord- 
ship, and a detachment of six hundred at Gloucester Point, under 
Lieut. Col. Tarleton. 

No movement, during the war, was more felicitously accom- 
plished, than the above of Washington, in withdrawing his troops 
from New York, while the British general was kept in utter ig- 
norance of his object. The latter, supposing it a feint, to draw 
him to a general engagement, remained at his ease ; nor were his 
suspicions awakened, until Washington and his troops were some 
distance on their way towards Virginia. 

97. On the 6th of October, Washington's heavy ord- 
nance, &c., arrived, and the siege was commenced in 
form. Seldom, if ever, during the revolutionary struggle, 
did the American commander-in-chief, or his troops, 
appear before the enemy with more cool determination, 
or pursue him with more persevering ardor, than at the 

19 



218 PERIOD v.— 1775 TO 1783. 

siege of Yorktown. With the fall of Cornwallis, it was 
perceived that the hopes of Great Britain, successfully 
to maintain the contest, must nearly expire : with this in 
prospect, there was no wavering of purpose, and no in- 
termission of toil. 

On the 19th of October, the memorable victory over 
Cornwallis was achieved, and his whole array was sur- 
rendered, amounting to more than seven thousand pris- 
oners of war, together with a park of artillery of one hun- 
dred and sixty pieces, the greater part of which were brass. 

Articles of capitulation being mutually signed and ratified, 
Gen. Lincoln was appointed, by the commander-in-chief, to re- 
ceive the submission of the royal army, in the same manner in 
which, eighteen months before, Cornwallis had received that of 
the Americans at Charleston. 

The spectacle is represented as having been impressive and 
affecting. The road through which the captive army marched 
was lined with spectators, French and American. On one side, 
the commander-in-chief, surrounded with his suite, and the 
American staff, took his station; on the other side, opposite to 
him, was the Count de Rochambeau, in the like manner attended. 

The captive army approached, moving slowly in column, with 
grace and precision. Universal silence was observed amidst the 
vast concourse, and the utmost decency prevailed ; exhibiting an 
awful sense of the vicissitudes of human life, mingled with com- 
miseration for the unhappy. 

Every eye was now turned, searching for the British com- 
mander-in-chief, anxious to look at the man heretofore so much 
the object of their dread. All were disappointed. Cornwallis, 
unable to bear up against the humiliation of marching at the 
head of his garrison, constituted Gen. O'Hara his representative, 
on the occasion. 

The post of Gloucester, falling with that of York, was deliver- 
ed up the same day. by Lieut. Col. Tarleton. 

At the termination of the siege, the besieging army amounted 
to sixteen thousand. The British force was put down at seven 
thousand one hundred and seven, of which only four thousand 
and seven rank and file are stated to have been fit for duty. 

98. Five days after the surrender of Cornwallis, Sir 
Henry Clinton made his appearance off the capes of 
Virginia, with a reinforcement of seven thousand men ; 
but, receiving intelligence of his lordship's fate, he re- 
turned to New York. 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION 219 

Cornwallis, in his despatches to Sir Henry, more than hinted, 
that his fall had been produced by a too firm reliance on prom- 
ises, that no pains were taken to fulfil. Clinton had promised 
Cornwallis that this auxiliary force should leave New York on 
the 5th of October ; but, for reasons never explained, it did not 
sail until the lOth, the very day that decided the fate of the 
army. 

99. Nothing could exceed the joy of the American 
people at this great and important victory over Lord 
Cornwallis. Exultation broke forth from one extremity 
of the country to the other. The remembrance of the 
past gave place in all minds to the most brilliant hopes. 
It was confidently anticipated, that the affair of York- 
town would rapidly hasten the acknowledgment of 
American independence — an event for which the peo- 
ple had been toiling and bleeding through so many cam- 
paigns. 

In all parts of ^e United States, solemn festivals and rejoicings 
celebrated the triumph of American fortune. The names of 
Washington, Rochambeau, De Grasse, and Lafayette, resounded 
every where. To the unanimous acclaim of the people, congress 
joined the autTiority of its resolves. It addressed thanks to the 
generals, ofiicers, and soldiers — presented British colors — ordered 
the erection of a marble column — and went into procession to 
church, to render public thanksgiving to God for the recent vic- 
tory. The 30th of December was appointed as a day of national 
thanksgiving. 

100. While the combined armies were advancing to 
the siege of Yorktown, an excursion was made from 
Nev/ York, by Gen. Arnold, against New London, in his 
fiative state. The object of this expedition seems to 
have been, to draw away a part of the American forces; 
Sir Henry Clinton knowing but too well, that, if they 
were left at liberty to push the siege of Yorktown, the 
blockaded army must inevitably surrender. 

This expedition was signalized by the greatest atroci- 
ties. Fort Trumbull, on the west, and Fort Griswold, 
on the east side of the river Thames, below New Lon- 
don, were taken, and the greater part of that town was 
burnt. 



220 PERIOD V. — 1775 TO 1783. 

At Fort Trumbull, little or no resistance was made ; but Fort 
Griswold was defended for a time, with great bravery and reso- 
lution. After the fort was carried, a British officer, entering, in- 
quired who commanded. Col. Ledyard answered, " I did, but 
you do now " — at the same time presenting his sword. The 
officer immediately plunged the sword into his bosom. A gen- 
eral massacre now took place, as well of those who surrendered 
as of those who resisted, which continued until nearly all the 
garrison were either killed or wounded. Sixty dwelling houses, 
and eighty-four stores, in New London, were reduced to ashes. 

101. The fall of Cornwallis may be considered as 
substantially closing the war. A few posts of importance 
were still held by the British — New York, Charleston, 
and Savannah — but all other parts of the country, which 
they had possessed, were recovered into the power of 
congress. A few skirmishes alone indicated the contin 
uance of war. 

A part of the French army, soon after the capture of Cornwal- 
lis, re-embarked, and Count de Grasse sailed for the West Indies. 
Count Rochambeau cantoned his army for the winter, 1782, in 
Virginia, and the main body of the Americans returned, by the 
way of the Chesapeake, to their former position on the Hud- 
son. 

102. From the l-2th of December, 1781, to the 4th 
of March, 1782, motion after motion was made in the 
British parliament, for putting an end to the war in 
America. On this latter day, the commons resolved, 
*' that the house would consider as enemies to his majes- 
ty, and to the country, all those who should advise, or 
attempt, the further prosecution of offensive war, on the 
continent of North America." 

103. On the same day, the command of his majesty's 
forces in America was taken from Sir Henry Clinton, 
and given to Sir Guy Carleton, who was instructed to 
promote the wishes of Great Britain, for an accommoda- 
tion with the United States. 

In accordance with these instructions. Sir Guy Carle- 
ton endeavored to open a correspondence with congress, 
and with this view sent to Gen. Washington to solicit a 
passport for his secretary. But this was refused, since 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 221 

congress would enter into no negotiations but in concert 
with his most Christian Majesty. 

104. The French court, on receiving intelligence of 
the surrender of Cornwallis, pressed upon congress the 
appointment of commissioners for negotiating peace with 
Great Britain. Accordingly, John Adams, Benjamin 
Franklin, John Jay, and Henry Laurens, were appoint- 
ed. These commissioners met Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. 
Oswald, on the part of Great Britain, at Paris, and pro- 
visional articles of peace betAveen the two countries were 
signed, November 30th, 1782. The definitive treaty was 
signed on the 30th of September, 1783. 

Although the definitive treaty was not signed until 
September, there had been no act of hostility between 
the two armies, and a state of peace had actually existed 
from the commencement of the year 1783. A formal 
proclamation of the cessation of hostilities was made 
through the army on the 19th of April; Savannah was 
evacuated in July, New York in November, and Charles- 
ton in the following month. 

105. The third of November was fixed upon, by con- 
gress, for disbanding the army of the United States. On 
the day previous, Washington issued his farewell orders, 
and bid an affectionate adieu to the soldiers, who had 
fought and bled by his side. 

After mentioning the trying times through which he had pass 
ed, and the unexampled patience which, under every circum- 
stance of suiFering, his army had evinced, he passed to the glori- 
ous prospects opening before them and their country, and then 
bade them adieu in the following words : " Being now to con- 
clude these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave, in a 
short time, of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to 
the armies he has so long had the honor to command, he can on- 
ly again offer in their behalf, his recommendations to their grate- 
ful country, and his prayer to the God of armies. 

'• May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest 
favor, both here and hereafter, attend those, who, under the di- 
vine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for ctljers ! 
With these wishes, and this benediction, the commander-in-chief 
is about to retire from service. The curtain of separation will 
Boon be drawn, and the military scene to him will be closed forever.'' 

19* 



222 PERIOD t.— 1775 TO 1783. 

lOG. Soori after taking leave of the army, Gen. Wash- 
ington was called to the still more painful hour of sepa- 
ration from his officers, greatly endeared to him by a 
long series of common suiferings and dangers. 

The officers hnving previously assembled in New York for the 
purpose, Gen. Washington now joined them, and, catling for a 
glass of wine, thus addressed them : — " With a heart full of love 
and gratitude, 1 now take my leave of you. I most devoutly 
wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as 
your former ones have been glorious and honorable." 

Having thus affectionately addressed them, he now took eaclx- 
bv the hand and bade him farewell. Followed by them to the 
side of the Hudson, he entered a barge, and, while tears rolled 
down his cheeks, he turned towards the companions of his glory, 
and bade them a silent adieu. 

107. December 23, Washington appeared in the hall 
of congress, and resigned to them the commission which 
they had given him, as commander-in-chief of the armies 
of the United States. 

After having spoken of the accbmplishment of his wishes and 
exertions, in the independence of his country, and commended his 
officers and soldiers to congress, he concluded as follows : — 

'• I consider it an indispensable duty to close the last solemn 
act of my official life, by commending the interests of our dear- 
est country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who 
have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping. 

'' Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the 
great theatre of action; and, bidding an affectionate farewell to 
this august body, under Avhose orders I have long acted, I here 
offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments 
of public life." 

108. Upon accepting his commission, congress, 
through their president, expressed, in glowing language, 
to Washington, their high sense of bis wisddm and en- 
ergy in conducting the war to so happy a termination, 
and invoked the choicest blessings upon his future life. 

President Mifflin concluded as follows :— " We join you in com 
mending the interest of our dearest country to the protection of 
Almighty God, beseeching Hi.m to dispose the hearts and minds 
of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of be- 
coming a happy and respectable nation. And for you, we ad 
dress to Him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be 



^ 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. '223 

fostered with all His care • that your days may be as happy aa 
they have been illustrious ; and that He will finally give you 
that reward which this world cannot give." 

A profoimd silence now pervaded the assembly. The 
grandeur of the scene, the recollection of the past, the 
felicity of the present, and the hopes of the future, 
crowded fast upon all, while they united in invoking 
blessings upon the man, who, under God, had achieved 
so much, and who now, in the character of a mere citi" 
zen, was hastening to a long-desired repose at his seat, 
at Mount Vernon, in Virginia. 

NOTES. 

109. Manners. Ai the commencement of the revo- 
lution, the colonists of America were a mass of husband- 
men, merchants, mechanics, and fishermen, who were 
occupied in the ordinary avocations of their respective 
callings, and were entitled to the appellation of a sober, 
honest, and industrious set of people. Being, however, 
under the control of a country whose jealousies were 
early and strongly enlisted against them, and which, 
therefore, was eager to repress every attempt, on their 
part, to rise, they had comparatively little scope or en 
couragement for exertion and enterprise. 

But, when the struggle for independence began, the 
case was altered. New fields for exertion were opened^ 
and new and still stronger impulses actuated their 
bosoms. A great change was suddenly wrought in t\m 
American people, and a vast expansion of character 
took place. Those who were before only known in the 
humble sphere of peaceful occupation, soon shone forth 
in the cabinet or in the field, fully qualified to cope with 
the trained generals and statesmen of Europe. 

But, although the revolution caused such .in expansion, 
of character in the American people, and called forth the 
most striking patriotism among all classes, it introduced, 
at the same time, greater looseness of manners and 



224 PERIOD V. — 1775 to 1783. 

morals. An army always carries deep vices in its train, 
and communicates its corruption to society around it. 
Besides this, the failure of public credit so far put it out 
of the power of individuals to perform private engage- 
ments, that the breach of them became common, and, 
at length, was scarcely disgraceful. That high sense of 
integrity, which had extensively existed before, was thus 
exchanged for more loose and slippery notions of hon- 
esty and honor. 

" On the whole," says Dr. Ramsay, who wrote soon afler the 
close of this period, '• the literary, political and military talents of 
the United States have been improved by the revolution, but 
their moral character is inferior to what it formerly was. So 
great is the change for the worse," continues he, "that the 
friends of public order are loudly called upon to exert their ut- 
most abilities, in extirpating the vicious principles and habits 
which have taken deep root during the late convulsions." 

110. Religion. During the revolution, the colonies 
being all united in one cause — a congress being assem- 
bled from all parts of America — and more frequent inter- 
course between different parts of the country being pro- 
moted by the shifting of the armies — local prejudices and 
sectarian asperities were obliterated ; religious contro- 
versy was suspended ; and bigotry softened. That 
spirit of intolerance, which had marked some portions 
of the country, was nearly done away. 

But, for these advantages, the revolution brought with 
it great disadvantages to religion in general. The atheis- 
tical philosophy, which had been spread over France, and 
which would involve the whole subject of religion in the 
gloomy mists of scepticism — which acknowledges no dis- 
tinction between right and wrong, and considers a fu- 
ture existence as a dream, that may or may not be real- 
ized — was thickly sown in the American army, by the 
French ; and, uniting with the infidelity which be- 
fore had taken root in the country, produced a serious 
declension in the tone of religious feelings among the 
American people. 



J 



WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 225 

In addition to this, religious institutions, during the war. were 
much neglected ; churches were demolished, or converted into 
barracks ; public worship was often suspended ; and the clergy 
suffered severely from the reduction of their salaries, caused by 
the depreciation of the circulating medium. 

111. Trade and Commerce. During the war of the 
revolution, the commerce of the United States was in- 
terrupted, not only with Great Britain, but, in a great 
measure, with the rest of the world. The greater part 
of the shipping, belonging to the country, was destroyed 
by the enemy, or perished by a natural process of decay. 

Our coasts were so lined with British cruisers as to render 
navigation too hazardous to be pursued to any considerable ex- 
tent. Some privateers, however, were fitted out, which succeed- 
ed in capturing several valuable prizes, on board of which were 
arms, and other munitions of war. During the last three years 
of the war, an illicit trade to Spanish America was carried on ; 
but it was extremely limited. 

112. Agriculture. Agriculture was greatly interrupt- 
ed, during this period, by the withdrawing of laborers to 
the camp, by the want of encouragement furnished by 
exportation, and by the distractions which disturbed all 
the occupations of society. 

The army often suffered for the means of subsistence, and the 
officers were sometimes forced to compel the inhabitants to fur- 
nish the soldiers food, in sufficient quantities to prevent their 
suffering. 

113. Arts and Manufactures. The trade with 
England, during this period, being interrupted by the 
war, the people of the United States were compelled to 
manufacture for themselves. Encouragement was given 
to all necessary manufactures, and the zeal, ingenuity 
and industry of the people, furnished the country with 
articles of prime necessity, and, in a measure, supplied 
the place of a foreign market. Such was the prog- 
ress in arts and manufactures, during the period, that, 
after the return of peace, when an uninterrupted inter- 
course Vv'ith England was again opened, some articles, 
which before were imported altogether, were found so 



226 PERIOD V. — 17/5 TO 1733, 

well and so abundantly manufactured at home, that their 
importation was stopped. 

114. Population. The increase of the people of 
the United States, during this period, was small. Few, 
if any, emigrants arrived in the country. Many of the 
inhabitants were slain in battle, and thousands of that 
class called tories, left the land, who never returned. 
Perhaps we may fairly estimate the inhabitants of the 
country, about the close of this period, 1784, at three 
millions two hundred and fifty thousand. 

115. Education. The interests of education suf- 
fered, in common with other kindred interests, during 
the war. In several colleges, the course of instruc- 
tion was, for a season, suspended ; the hall was ex- 
changed by the students for the camp, and the gown for 
the sword and epaulet. 

Towards the conclusion of the war, two colleges were founded; 
one in Maryland, in 1782, by the name of Washington college ; 
the other, in 1783, in Pennsylvania, which received the name of 
Dickinson college. The writer whom we have quoted above, 
estimates the whole number of collegfes and academies in the 
United States, at the close of this period, at thirty-six. 



REFLECTIONS. 

116. The American revolution is doubtless the most interest- 
ing event in the pages of modern history. Changes equally 
great, and convulsions equally violent, have often taken place ; 
and the history of man tells us of many instances in which op- 
pression, urged beyond endurance, has called forth the spirit of 
successful and triumphant resistance. But, in the event before 
us, we see feeble colonies, without an army, without a navy, 
without an established government, without a revenue, without 
munitions of war, without fortilications, boldly stepping forth to 
meet the veteran armies of a proud, powerful, and vindictive 
enemy. We see these colonies, amidst want, poverty, and mis- 
fortune, supported by the pervading spirit of liberty, and guided 
by the good hand of Heaven, for nearly eight years sustaining 
the weight of a cruel conflict, upon their own soil. We see 
them at length victorious ; their enemies sullenly retire from 
their shores, and these humble cohmies st.and forth enrolled on 
the page of history, a free, sovereign, and independent natior 




WAR OF THE REVOLUTION. 2^7 

Nor is this all. We see a wise government springing up front 
the blood that was spilt, and, down to our own time, sheading 
the choicest political blessings upon several millions of people. 

What nation can dwell with more just satisfaction upon its 
annals than ours .'' Almost all others trace their foundation to 
some ambitious and blood}'^ conqueror, who sought only by enslav- 
ing others to aggrandize himself. Our independence was won 
by the people, who fought for the natural rights of man. Other 
nations have left their annals stained with the crimes of their peo- 
ple and princes ; ours shines with the glowing traces of patriotism, 
constancy, and courage, amidst every rank of life and every 
grade of office. 

Whenever we advert to this portion of our history, and review 
it, as M'e well may, with patriotic interest, let us not forget the 
gratitude we owe, as well to those who '• fought, and bled, and 
died" for us, as to that benignant Providence, who stayed the 
proud waves of British tyranny. 

Let us also gather political wisdom from the American revo- 
lution. It has taught the world, emphatically, that oppression 
tends to weaken and destroy the power of the oppressor ; that a 
people united in the cause of liberty are invincible by those who 
V^ould enslave them ; and that Heaven will ever frown upon the 
cause of injustice, and ultimately grant success to those who 
oppose it 



'^\ 



UNITED STATES 



PERIOD VI. 



DISTINGUISHED FOR THE FORMATION AND ESTAB- 
LISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 

Extending from the Disbanding of the Army, 1783, to 
the Inauguration of George Washington, as Presi- 
dent of the United States, under the Federal Con- 
stitution, 1789. 

Sec. 1. During the war of the revolution, the Ameri- 
can people had been looking forward to a state of peace, 
independence and self-government, as almost necessarily 
ensuring every possible blessing. A short time after its 
termination, however, it was apparent that something 
not yet possessed was necessary, to realize the private 
and public prosperity that had been anticipated. After 
a short struggle so to administer the existing system of 
government, as to make it competent to the great objects 
for which it was instituted, it became obvious that some 
other system must be substituted, or a general wreck of 
all that had been gained would ensue. 

At the close of the war, the debts of the Union were comput- 
ed to amount to more than forty millions of dollars. These debts 
were of two kinds, foreign and domestic. The foreign debt 
amounted to near eight millions, and was due to individuals in 
France, to the crown of France, to lenders in Holland and Spain. 
The domestic debt was due to the officers and soldiers of the 
revolutionary army and others. By the articles of confederation 
and union between the states, congress had power to declare war, 



ESTABLISHMENT OP THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 229 

and borrow money, or issue bills of credit, to carry it on ; but it had 
not the ability to discharge the debts incurred by the war. Con- 
gress could recommend t® the individual states to raise money 
for that purpose ; but at this point its power terminated. 

Soon after the war, the attention of that body was drawn to 
this subject ; the payment of the national debt being a matter of 
justice to creditors, as well as of vital importance to the preserva- 
tion of the union. It was proposed, therefore, to the states, that 
they should grant to congress the power of laying a didy of five 
"per cent, on all foreign goods, which should be imported, and 
that the revenue arising thence should be applied to the diminu- 
tion of the public debt, until it should be extinguished. 

To this proposal, most of the states assented, and passed an 
act granting the power. But Rhode Island, apprehensive that 
such a grant would lessen the advantages of her trade, declined 
passing an act for that purpose. Subsequently, New York joined 
in the opposition, and rendered all prospect of raising a revenue, 
in this way, hopeless. , 

The consequence was, that even the interest of the public 
debt remained unpaid. Certificates of public debt lost their 
credit, and many of the officers and soldiers of the late army, 
who were poor, were compelled to sell these certificates at ex- 
cessive reductions. 

While the friends of the national government were making 
unavailing effi^rts to fix upon a permanent revenue, which might 
enable it to preserve the national faith, other causes, besides the 
loss of confidence in the confederation, concurred to hasten a 
radical change in the political system of the' United States. 

Among these causes, the principal was the evil resulting from 
the restrictions of Great Britain, laid on the trade of the United 
States with the West Indies ; the ports of those islands being 
shut against the vessels of the United States, and enormous du- 
ties imposed on our most valuable exports. 

Had congress possessed the power, a remedy might have been 
found, in passing similar acts against Great Britain ; but this 
power had not been delegated by the states to the congress. 
That thirteen independent sovereignties, always jealous of one 
another, would separately concur in any proper measures to com- 
pel Great Britain to relax, was not to be expected. The impor- 
tance^f an enlargement of the powers of congress was thus ren- 
dered still more obvious. 

2. During the enfeebled and disorganized state of the 
general government, which followed the war, attempts 
were made, in some of the states, to maintain their 
credit, and to satisfy their creditors. The attempt of 
Massachusetts to effect this, by means of a heavy tax, 
20 



230 PERIOD VI.— 1783 TO 1789. 

produced an open insurrection among the people. In 
some parts of the state, the people convened in tumultu- 
ous assemblies, obstructed the sitting of courts, and, 
finally, took arms in opposition to the laws of the state. 
The prudent measures of Gov. Bowdoin and his coun- 
cil, seconded by an armed force, under Gen. Lincoln, in 
the winter t)f 178G, gradually subdued the spirit of oppo- 
sition, and restored the authority of the laws. 

This rising of the people of Massachusetts is usually styled- 
Shays'' mmirrectioii, from one Daniel Shays, a captain in the rev- 
olutionary army, who headed the insurgents. In August, 1786, 
fifteen hundred insurgents assembled at Northampton, took pos- 
session of the court-house, and prevented the session of the 
court. Similar outrages occurred at Worcester, Concord, Taun- 
ton, and Springfield. In New Hampshire, also, a body of men 
'arose in September, and surrounding the general assembly, sit- 
ting at Exeter, held them prisoners for several hours. 

In this state of civil commotion, a body of troops, to the num- 
ber of four thousand, was ordered out, by Massachusetts, to sup- 
port the judicial courts, and suppress the insurrection. This 
force was put under the command of Gen. Lincoln. Another 
bbdy of troops was collected by Gen. Shepherd, near Spring- 
field. After some skirmishing, the insurgents were dispersed ; 
several were taken prisoners and condemned, but were ultimate- 
\y pardoned. 

3. The period seemed to have arrived, when it was to 
be decided whether the general government was to be 
supported or abandoned — whether the glorious objects 
of the revolutionary struggle should be realized or lost. 

In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia adopted 
a resolution to appoint commissioners, who were to meet 
such others as might be appointed by the other states, 
to take into consideration the subject of trade, and to 
provide for a uniform system of commercial relations, 
&/C. This resolution ultimately led to a proposition for 
a o;eneral convention to consider the state of the Union. 

But five states were represented in the convention pro- 
posed by Virginia, which met at Annapolis. In con- 
sideration of the small number of .states represented, 
the convention, without coming to any specific resolu- 
tion on the particular subjects referred to them, ad- 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 231 

journed to meet in Philadelphia, the succeeding May, 
Previously to adjournment, it recommended to the seve- 
ral states, to appoint delegates for that meeting, and to 
give them jpoiver to revise the federal system. 

4. Agreeably to the above recommendation, the sev- 
eral states of the Union, excepting Rhode Island, ap- 
pointed commissioners, vi^ho convened at Philadelphia, 
and proceeded to the important business of their ap- 
pointment. 

Of this body, consisting of fifty-five members, George 
Washington, one of the delegates from Virginia, was 
unanimously elected president. The convention pro- 
ceeded with closed doors to discuss the interesting sub- 
jects submitted to their consideration. 

5. The first and most important question which pre- 
sented itself to this convention, was, whether the then 
present system should be amended, or anew one formed. 
By the resolve of congress, as well as the instructions 
of some of the states, they were met " for the sole and 
express purpose of revising the articles of confederation." 
The defects of the old government were so radical and 
apparent, that it was determined by a majority to form 
an entire new one. 

6. On the great principles, which should form the 
basis of the constitution, not much difference of opinion 
prevailed. But, in reducing those principles to practical 
details, less harmony was to be expected. Such, indeed, 
was the difference of opinion, that, more than once, 
there was reason to fear, that the convention would rise 
without effecting the object for which it was formed. 

The convention having decided that the legislative branch cf 
the government should consistof a house of representatives and a 
senate, after a long debate it was agreed, that the right of each 
state to vote in the house should be in proportion to the v^hole 
number of its white, or other free citizens, and three fifths of all 
other persons. 

In the senate, the small states demanded an equal vote with 
the large states. This the latter refused ; and on tliis point the 
convention came well nigh dissolving. 



232 PERIOD VI.— 1783 to 1789. 

At this interesting and solemn crisis, Dr. Franklin rose, and, 
addressing himself to the president, among other things, said, 
'* Sir, how has it happened, that while groping so long in the 
dark — divided in our opinions, and now ready to separate, with- 
out accomplishing the great objects of our meeting — that we have 
not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of 
Lights to illuminate our understandings ? In the beginning of the 
contest with Britain, when we were sensible ofdanger, we had 
daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers, sir, 
were heard; and they were graciously answered. AJl of us who 
were engaged in the struggle, must have observed frequent in- 
stances of a superintending Providence in our favor. To that 
kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting, in 
peace, on the means of establishing our future national felicity. 
And have we now forgotten that powerful friend ? or do we im- 
agine that we no longer need its assistance ? I have lived, sir, a 
long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I 
see of this truth, that God governs the affairs of men. And if a 
sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it proba- 
ble that an empire can rise without his aid ? We have been as- 
sured, sir, in the sacred writings, that except the ' Lord build the 
house, they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; 
and I also believe that, without his concurring aid, we shall suc- 
ceed in this political building no better than the builders of Ba- 
bel ; we shall be diVided by our little partial local interests ; our 
projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a 
reproach and a by- word to future ages. And what is worse, 
mankind may hereafter, from this important instance, despair of 
establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to 
chance, war or conquest. 

'' I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers, im- 
ploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our delib- 
erations, be held in this assembly every morning before we pro- 
ceed to business ; and that one or more of the clergy of this city 
be requested to officiate in that service." 

This suggestion, it need scarcely be said, was favorably re 
ceived by the convention, and from that time the guidance of 
divine wisdom vi^as daily sought. As might be expected, great- 
er harmony prevailed — the spirit of concession pervaded the con- 
vention — amotion was made for the appointment of a committee, 
to take into consideration both branches of the legislature. This 
motion prevailing, a committee was accordingly chosen by ballot, 
consisting of one fVom each state ; and the convention adjourned 
for three days. 

On the meeting of the convention, after this adjournment, the 
above committee reported to the satisfaction of all, and the body 
proceeded to organize the legislative, and other departments of 
the government. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THif FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 233 

7. At length, on the 17th of September, 1787, the 
convention, having adopted and signed the federal con- 
stitution, presented it to congress, which body soon after 
sent it to the several states for their consideration. 

An abstract of this constitution, with its several subsequent 
amendments, follows : it is extracted from Mr. Webster's Ele- 
ments of Useful Knowledge. 

Of the Legislature. '^ The legislative power of the United 
States is vested in a congress, consisting of two houses or branches, 
a senate, and a house of representatives. The members of 
the house of representatives are chosen once in tv/o years, by the 
persons who are qualified to vote for members of the most nu- 
merous branches of the legislature, in each state. To be entitled 
to a seat in this house, a person must have attained to the age of 
twenty-five years, been a citizen of the United States for seven 
years, and be an inhabitant of the state in which he is chosen." 

Of the Senate. " The senate consists of two senators trom each 
state, chosen by the legislature for six years. The senate is di- 
vided into three classes, the seats of one of which are vacated 
every second year. If a vacancy happens during the recess of 
the legislature, the executive of the state makes a temporary ap- 
pC'intment of a senator, vintil the next meeting of the legislature. 
A senator must have attained to the age of thirty years, been a 
ciazen of the United States nine years, and be an inhabitant of 
the state for which he is chosen." 

Of the Powers of the tioo Houses. " The house of representatives 
ci'^oose their own speaker and other officers, and have the exclu- 
si i^e pov/er of impeaching public officers, and originating bills 
for raising a revenue. The vice-president of the United States 
IS president of the senate ; but the other officers are chosen by 
the senate. The senate tries all impeachments; each house de- 
termines the validity of the elections and qualifications of its own 
members, forms its own rules, and keeps a journal of its proceed- 
ings. The members are privileged from arrest, while attending 
on the session, going to, or returning from the same, except for 
treason, felony, or breach of the peace." 

Of the Poiocrsof Congress. '•' The congress of the United States 
have power to make and enforce all laws, which are necessary 
for the general welfare — as t^ lay and collect taxes, imposts, and 
excises ; borrow money, regulate commerce, establish uniform 
rules of naturalization, coin money, establish post-roads and post- 
offices, promote the arts and sciences, institute tribunals inferior 
to the supreme court, define and punish piracy, declare war, and 
make reprisals, raise and support armies, provide a navy, regulate 
the militia, and to make all laws necessary to carry these powers 
into effect." 

20* 



234 PERIOD VI.— 1783 to 1789. 

Of Restrictions. "No bill of attainder, or retrospective law, 
shall be passed ; the writ of habeas corpus cannot be suspended, 
except in cases of rebellion or invasion ; no direct tax can be laid, 
except according to a census of the inhabitants ; no duty can be 
laid on exports; no money can be drawn from the treasury, unless 
appropriated by law ; no title of nobility can be granted, nor can 
any public officer, without the consent of congress, accept of any 
present or title from any foreign prince or state. The states are 
restrained from emitting bills of credit, from making any thing 
but gold or silver a tender for debts, and from passing any law 
impairing private contracts." 

Of the Executive. '■ The executive power of the United States 
is vested in a president, who holds his office for four years. To 
qualify a man for president, he must have been a citizen at the 
adoption of the constitution, or must be a native of the United 
States ; he must have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and 
been fourteen years a resident within the United States. The 
president and vice-president are chosen by electors, designated in 
such a manner as the legislature of each state shall direct. The 
number of electors in each state is equal to the whole number of 
senators and representatives." 

Of the Poicers of the President. " The president of the United 
States is commander-in-chief of the army and navy, and of the 
militia when in actual service. He grants reprieves and par- 
dons ; nominates, and, with the consent of the senate, appoints 
ambassadors, judges and other officers; and, with the advice and 
consent of the senate, forms treaties, provided two thirds of the 
senate agree. He fills vacancies in offices which happen during 
the recess of the senate. He convenes the congress on extraor- 
dinary occasions, receives foreign ministers, gives information to 
congress of the state of public affairs, and, in general, takes care 
that the laws be faithfully executed." 

Of the Judiciary. " The judiciary of the United States consists of 
one supreme court, and such inferior courts as the congress shall 
ordain. The judges are to hold their offices during good be- 
havior, and their salaries cannot be diminished during their con- 
tinuance in office. The judicial power of these courts extends 
to all cases in law and equity, arising under the constitution, or 
laws of the United States, and under treaties ; to cases of public 
ministers and consuls ; to all cases of admiralty and maritime 
jurisdiction ; to controversies between the states, and in which 
the United States are a party ; between citizens of different 
states; between a state and a citizen of another state, and be- 
tween citizens of the same state, claiming under grants of differ- 
ent states; and to causes between one of the states or an Ameri- 
can citizen, and a foreign state or citizen. " 

Of Rights and Immunities. " In all criminal trials, except im- 
peachment, the trial by jury is guarantied to tlie accused. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 235 

Treason is restricted to the simple acts of levying war against 
the United States, and adhering to their enemies, giving them 
aid and comfort; and no person can be convicted, but by two 
witnesses to the same act, or by confession in open court. A 
conviction of treason is not followed by a corruption of blood, to 
disinherit the heirs of the criminal, nor by a forfeiture of estate, 
except during the life of the offender. The citizens of each 
state are entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens 
in the several states. Congress may admit new states into the 
Union ; and the national compact guaranties to each state a re- 
publican form of government, together with protection from for- 
eign invasion and domestic violence." 

8. By a resolution of the convention, it was recom- 
mended that assemblies should be called, in the differ- 
ent states, to discuss the merits of the constitution, and 
either accept or reject it ; and that, as soon as nine states 
should have ratified it, it should be carried into operation 
by congress. 

To decide the interesting question, respecting the 
adoption or rejection of the new constitution, the best 
talents of the several states were assembled in their re- 
spective conventions. The fate of the constitution could, 
for a time, be scarcely conjectured, so equally were the 
parties balanced. But, at length, the conventions of 
eleven states* assented to, and ratified the constitu- 
tion. 

9. From the moment it was settled that this new ar 
rangement in their political system was to take place, 
the attention of all classes of people, as well anti-federal- 
ists as federalists, (for by these names the parties for 
and against the new constitution were called,) was di- 
rected to Gen. Washington, as the first president of the 
United States. Accordingly, on the opening of the 
votes for president, at New York, March 3d, 1789, by 
delegates from eleven states, it was found that he was 
unanimously elected to that office, and that John Adams 
was elected vice-president. 

* North Carolina and Rhode Island refused their assent at this time, bnl 
afterwards acceded to it; the former, November, 1789; the latter. May, 1790 



236 PERIOD VI.— 1783 to 1789. 



NOTES. 

10. Manners. The war of the revolution, as was 
observed in our notes on the last period, seriously affect- 
ed the morals and manners of the people of the United 
States. The peace of 1783, however, tended, in a 
measure, to restore things to their former state. Those 
sober habits, for which the country was previously dis- 
tinguished, began to return ; business assumed a more 
regular and equitable character ; the tumultuous passions 
roused by the w^r subsided ; and men of wisdom and 
v.'orth began to acquire their proper influence. 

The change wrought in the manners of the people, 
during the revolution, began, in this period, to appear. 
National peculiarities wore away still more ; local preju- 
dices were further corrected, and a greater assimilation 
of the yet discordant materials, of which the population 
of the United States was composed, took place. 

11. Religion. Methodisrn was introduced into the 
United States, during this period, under the direction of 
John Wesley, in England. This denomination increased 
rapidly in the Middle States, and, in 1789, they amount- 
ed to about fifty thousand. 

During this period, also, the infidelity, which we have noticed.' 
seems to have lost ground. Public worship was more punctually 
attended than during the war, and the cause of religion began 
again to flourish. 

12. Trade and Commerce. The commerce of the 
United States, during the war of the revolution, as al- 
ready stated, was nearly destroyed; but, on the retufn 
of peace, it revived. An excessive importation of goods 
immediately took place from England. In 1784, the 
imports, from England alone, amounted to eighteen mil- 
lions of dollars, and in 1785, to twelve millions — making, 
in those two years, thirty millions of dollars, while the 
exports of the United States to England were only be- 
tween eight and nine millions. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 237 

On the average of six years posterior to the war, the extent of 
this period, the imports from Great Britain into the United 
States were two millions one hundred and nineteen thousand 
eight hundred and thirty-seven pounds sterling ; the exports 
nine hundred and eight thousand six hundred and thirty-six 
pounds sterling ; leaving an annual balance of five millions 
three hundred and twenty-nine thousand two hundred and 
eighty-four dollars, in favor of Great Britain. 

The commercial intercourse of the United States with other 
countries was less extensive than with England, yet it was not 
inconsiderable. From France and her dependencies, the United 
States imported, in 1787, to the amount of about two millions five 
hundred thousand dollars, and exported to the same to the value 
of five millions of dollars. 

The trade of the United States with China commenced soor 
after the close of the revolutionary v/ar. The first American 
\-essel that went on a trading voyage to China, sailed from New 
York, on the 22d of February, 1784, and returned on the 11th of 
May, 1785. In 1789, there were fifteen American vessels at Can- 
ton, being a greater number than from any other nation, except 
Great Britain. ' 

During this period, also, the Americans commenced the long 
and hazardous trading voyages to the North- West Coast of 
America. The first of the kind, undertaken from the United 
States, was from Boston, in 1788, in a ship commanded by Capt. 
Kendrick. The trade afforded great profits at first, and since 
1788- has been carried on from the United States to a considera- 
ble extent. 

The whale fishery, which, during the war, was suspended, re 
vived on the return of peace. From 1787 to 1789, both inclusive, 
ninety-one vessels were employed from the United States, with 
one thousand six hundred and eleven seamen. Nearly eight 
thousand barrels of spermaceti oil were annually taken, and about 
thirteen thousand barrels of whale oil. 

Small quantities of cotton were first exported from the United 
States about the year 1784. It was raised in Georgia. 

13. Agriculture. Agriculture revived at the close of 
the war ; and, in a few years, the exports of produce 
raised in the United States were again considerable. 
Attention began to be paid to the culture of cotton, in 
the Southern States, about the year 1783, and it soon be- 
came a staple of that part of the country. About the 
same time, agricultural societies began to be formed in 
the country. 

14. Arts and Manufactures. The excessive im- 



238 PERIOD VI.— 1783 to 1789. 

portation of merchandize from Great Britain, during this 
period, — much of which was sold at low prices, — checked 
the progress of manufactures in the United States, which 
had been extensively begun during the war of the revo- 
lution. Iron works, however, for the construction of 
axes, ironing of carriages, and the making of machinery, 
&:-c. &c., were still kept up in all parts of the United 
States. Some coarse woollen and linen cloths, cabinet 
furniture, and the more bulky and simple utensils for 
domestic use, &lc. &lc., were manufactured in New 
England. 

15. Population. The population of the United States, 
at the close of this period, was nearly four millions. 

16. Education. Several colleges were established 
during this period — one in Maryland, at Annapolis, 
called St. John's college; a second, in 1785, at Abing- 
ton, in the same state, by the Methodists, called Cokes- 
bury college; a third, in the city of New York; and a 
fourth, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1787 — the former, 
by the name of Columbia college, and the latter, by that 
of Franklin college. The North Carolina university 
was incorporated in 1789. 

The subject of education, during this period, seems 
to have attracted public attention throughout the United 
States, and permanent institutions, for the instruction 
of youth, were either planned or established, in every 
section of the country. 



REFLECTIONS. 

17. The history of the world furnishes no parallel to the histo- 
ry of the United States, during this short period. At the com- 
mencement of it, they had but just emerged from a long and 
distressing war, which had nearly exhausted the country, and 
imposed an accumulated debt upon the nation. They were 
united by a confederation inadequate to the purposes of govern- 
ment ; they had just disbanded an army, which was unpaid and 
dissatisfied; and, more than all, they were untried in the art of 
self-government. 



ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. 239 

In circumstances like these, it would not have been strange 
had the people fallen into dissensions and anarchy, or had some 
bold, ambitious spirit arisen, and flistened the yoke of monarchy 
upon them. But a happier destiny awaited them. In this hour 
of peril, the same Providence, that had guided them thus far, still 
watched over them, and, as victory was granted them in the 
hour of battle, so wisdom was now vouchsafed in a day of 
peace. Those master spirits of the revolution, some of whom 
had recently retired from the camp to the enjoyment of civil life, 
were now called to devise the means of securing the indepen- 
dence which they had won. Perhaps they exhibited to the 
world a no less striking spectacle as the framers of our excellent 
constitution, than as victors over the arms of Britain. 



UNITED STATES. 
PERIOD VII. 

DISTINGUISHED BY WASHINGTON'S ADMINISTRATION 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Wash 
ington, 1789, to the Inauguration of John Adams, a^ 
President of the United States, 1797. 

Sec. 1. On the 30th of April, 1789, Gen. Washington, 

in the presence of the first congress under the federal 
constitution, and before an immense concourse of spec- 
tators, was inducted into the office of president of the 
United States, by taking the oath prescribed by the con- 
stitution. 

The ceremonies of the inauguration being conchided. Wash- 
ington entered the senate-chamber, and dehvered bis first speech. 
In this, after expressing the reluctance with which he obeyed the 
call of his countrymen, from repose and retirement, so ardently 
coveted, after a series of military toils, and the diffidence with 
which he entered upon an office so full of responsibility, he pro- 
ceeded thus : — 

" It will be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, 
my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over 
the universe, who presides in the councils of nations." 

Immediately after his inaugural address, he, with the members 
of both houses, attended divine service at St. Paul's chapel. 
Thus, in the commencement of liis administration, did Wash- 
ino-ton, by every suitable means, acknowledge his sense of per- 
sonal dependence upon divine wisdom, to guide with discretion 
the affairs of a nation committed to his care ; thus did he set an 
example worthy of imitation by all who are elevated to places 
of authority and responsibility. 



Washington's administration. 241 

2. Business of importance, in relation to the organ- 
ization and support of the new government, now pressed 
upon the attention of the president and of co^igress. A 
revenue was to be provided ; the departmects of govern- 
ment wore to be arranged and filled ; a judiciary was to 
be established, and its officers appointed ; and provision 
was to be made for the support of public credit. 

In respect to a revenue for the support of government, and the 
discharge of the debt contracted in the revolutionary war, it was 
agreed that duties should be laid on mejchandise imported into 
the country, and on the tonnage of vessels. Laws were passed, 
creating a department of state, of the treasury, of war ; and Mr. 
Jefferson. Mr. Hamilton, and Gen. Knox were appointed secre- 
taries. During this session, also, a national judiciary was con- 
stituted and organized, and severpi amendments to the constitu- 
tion were proposed, which were afterwards ratified by the states. 

In the debate on estabhshin^' the executive departments, an 
important inquiry arose by whom these important officers could 
be removed. After a long discussion, it was decided that the 
power should reside in the president alone. 

But notwithstanding the question was settled in this manner, 
there were strong objections to placing a power in the hands of 
an individual which might be greatly abused ; since it was ap- 
parent that the president might, from, whim, or caprice, or favor- 
itism, remove a meritorious officer, to the great injury of the 
public good. But to this it was well replied by Mr. Madison : — 
" The danger consists in this ; the president can displace from 
office a man whose merits require that he should be continued in 
it. What will be the motives which the president can feel for 
such an abuse of his power, and the restraints to operate to pre- 
vent it .'' In the first place, he will be impeachable by this house 
before the senate for such an act of maladministration ; for I con- 
tend, that the wanton removal of meritorious officers would sub- 
ject him to impeachment and removal from his own high trust." 

3. Before the adjournment of congress, deeply im- 
oressed with a sense of the divine goodness, that body 
requested the president to recommend to the people a day 
of public thanksgiving and prayer, in which they should 
unitedly acknowledge, with grateful hearts, the many and 
signal favors of Almighty God, especially in affording 
them an opportunity peaceably to establish a constitu- 
tion of government for their safety and happiness. 

4. On the 29th of September, the first session of 

21 



242 PERIOD VII. — 1789 TO 1797. 

congress closed. It was among their concluding acts, 
to direct the secretary of the treasury to prepare a plan 
for adequately providing for the support of the public 
credit, and lo report the same at their next meeting, 

5. During \he recess of congress, Washington made 
a tour into Ne\7 England. Passing through Connecti- 
cut and Massachusetts, and into New Hampshire as far 
as Portsmouth, he returned by a different route to New 
York. 

With this excursion, the president had much reason to be 
gratified. To observe the progress of society, the improvements 
in agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, and the temper, 
circumstances, and dispositions of the people — while it could 
not fail to please an intelligent and benevolent mind, was, in 
all respects, worthy of the chief magistrate of the nation. He 
v.'as every where received with expressions of the purest affection, 
and could not fail to rejoice in the virtue, religion, happiness 
and prosperity of the people, at the head of whose government 
lie wrs placed. 

6. The second session of the first congress commenced 
January Sth, 1790. In obedience to the resolution of 
the former congress, the secretary of the treasury, Mr. 
Hamilton, made his report on the subject of maintaining 
the public credit. 

In this report, he strongly recommended to congress, 
as the only mode, in his opinion, in which the public 
credit would be supported, — 

1. That provision be made for the full discharge of 
the foreign debt, according to the precise terms of the 
contract ; 

2. That provision be made for the payment .of the 
domestic debt, in a similar manner ; 

3. That the debts of the several states, created for the 
purpose of carrying on the war, be assumed by the gen- 
eral government. 

The public debt of the United States was estimated by the 
secretary, at this time, at more than fifty-four millions of dollars. 
Of this sum, the foreign debt, principally due to France andihe 
Hollanders, consti^'uted eleven millions and a half of interest; 
and the domestic liquidated debt, including about thirteen 



Washington's administration. 243 

millions of arrears of interest, more than forty millions ; and the 
unliquidated debt two millions. The secretary recommended the 
assumption of the debts of the several states, to be paid equally 
with those of the Union, as a measure of sound policy and sub- 
stantial justice. These were estimated at twenty -five millions of 
dollars. 

7. The proposal for making adequate provision for the 
foreign debt was met cordially and unanimously ; but, 
respecting the full discharge of the domestic debt, and 
the assumption of the state debts, much division pre- 
vailed in congress. After a spirited and protracted de- 
bate on these subjects, the recommendation of the secre- 
tary prevailed, and bills conformable thereto passed, 
by a small m.ajority. 

The division of sentiment among the members of congress, in 
relation to the 'full, or only a partial payment of the domestic 
debt, arose from this. A considerable proportion of the original 
holders of public securities had found it necessary to sell them 
at a reduced price — even as low as two or three shillings on the 
pound. These securities had been purchased by speculators, with 
the expectation of ultimately receiving the full amount. Under 
these circumstances, it was contended by some, that congress 
would perform their duty, should they pay to all holders of pub- 
lic securities only the reduced market price. Others advocated 
a discrimination between the present holders of securities, and 
those to whom the debt was originally due, &c. &c. 

In his report, Mr. Hamilton ably examined these several points, 
and strongly maintained the justice of paying to all holdeis of 
securities, without discrimination, the full value of what appeared 
on the face of their certificates. This, he contended, justice 
demanded, and for this the public faith was pledged. 

By the opposers of the bill which related to the assumption 
of the state debts, the constitutional authority of the federal gov- 
ernment for this purpose was questioned, and the policy and jus- 
tice of the measure controverted. 

To cancel the several debts which congress thus undertook to 
discharge, the proceeds of public lands, lying in the western ter- 
ritory, were directed to be applied, together with the surplus 
revenue, and a loan of two millions of dollars, which the president 
was authorized to borrow, at an interest of five per cent. 

This measure laid the foundation of public credit upon such 
a basis, that government paper soon rose from two shillings and 
sixpence to twenty shillings on the pound, and, indeed, for h 
short time, was above par. Individuals, who had purchased cer- 
tificates of public debt low, realized immense fortunes. A ^ren- 



244 PERIOD VII. — 1789 to 1797. 

eral spring was given to the affairs of the nation. A spirit of 
enterprise, of agriculture, and commerce, universally prevailed, 
and the foundation was thus laid for that unrivalled prosperity 
which the United States, in subsequent years, enjoyed. 

8, During this session of congress, a bill was passed, 
fixing the seat of government for ten years at Philadel- 
phia, and, from and after that time, permanently at 
Washington, on the Potomac. 

9. On the 4th of March, 1791, Vermont, by consent 
of congress, became one of the United States. 

The tract of country, which is now known by the name of 
Vermont, was settled at a much later period than any other of 
the eastern states. The governments of New York and Massa- 
■chusetts made large grants of territory in the direction of Ver- 
mont; hut it was not until 1724, that any actual possession was 
taken of land within the present boundaries of the state. In 
that year, Fort Durance was built, by the officers of Massachusetts, 
on Connecticut river. On the other side of the state, the French 
advanced up Lake Champlain, and, in 1731, built Crown Point, 
and began a settlement on the eastern shore of the lake. 

Vermont being supposed to fall within the limits of New 
Hampshire, that government made large grants of land to settlers, 
even west of Connecticut river. New York, however, conceived 
herself to have a better right to the territory, in consequence of 
the grant of Charles II. to his brother, the Duke of York. These 
states being thus at issue, the case was submitted to the English 
crown, which decided in favor of New York, and confirmed its 
jurisdiction as far as Connecticut river. In this decision New 
Hampshire acquiesced ; but, New York persisting in its claims to 
land east of the river, actions of ejectment were instituted in the 
courts at Albany, which resulted in favor of the New York title. 
The settlers, however, determined to resist the officers of justice, 
and, under Ethan Allen, associated together to oppose the New 
York militia, which were called out to enforce the laws. 

On the commencement of the revolution, the people of Ver- 
mont were placed in an embarrassing situation. They had not 
even a form of government. The jurisdiction of New York be- 
ing disclaimed, and allegiance to the British crown refused, every 
thing was effected by voluntary agreement. In January, 1777, a 
convention met, and proclaimed that the district before known 
by the name of the New Hampshire Grants, was of right a free 
and independent jurisdiction, and sliould be henceforth called 
J\'c?« Connccticnf, alias Vermont. Tlie convention proceeded to 
make known their proceedings to congress, and petitioned to be 
admitted into the confederacy. To this New York objected, and, 



Washington's administration. 245 

for a time, prevailed. Other difficulties arose with New Hamp- 
shire and Massachusetts, each of which laid claim to land within 
the present boundaries of the state. At the peace of 1783, Ver- 
mont found herself a sovereign and independent state de facto, 
united with no confederation, and therefore unembarrassed by 
the debts that weighed down the other states. New York still 
claimed jurisdiction over the state, but was unable to enforce it; 
and the state government was administered as regularly as in 
any of the other states. After the formation of the federal con- 
stitution, Vermont again requested admission into the Union. 
The opposition of New York v/as still strong, but, in 1789, was 
finally withdrawn, upon the agreement of Vermont to pay her 
the sum of thirty thousand dollars. Thus terminated a contro- 
versy, which had been carried on with animosity, and with in- 
jury to both parties, for twenty-six years. A convention was 
immediately called, by which it was resolved to join the federal 
Union. Upon application to congress, their consent was readily 
given, and, on the 4th of March, 1791, Vermont was added to the 
United States. 

10. At the time that congress assumed the state debts, 
during their second session, the secretary of the treasury 
had recommended a tax on domestic spirits, to enable 
them to pay the interest. The discussion of the bill,- 
having been postponed to the third session, was early in 
that session taken up. The tax, contemplated by the 
bill, was opposed with great vehemence, by a majority 
of southern and western members, on the ground 
that it was unnecessary and unequal, and would be par- 
ticularly burdensome upon those parts of the Union 
which could not, without very great expense, procure 
foreign ardent spirits. Instead of this tax, these mem- 
bers proposed an increased duty on imported articles 
generally, a particular duty on molasses, a direct tax, or 
a tax on salaries, &c. &c. After giving rise to an an- 
gry and protracted debate, the bill passed by a majority 
of thirty-five to twenty-one. 

11. The secretary next appeared with a recommen- 
dation for a national bank. A bill, conformed to his 
plan, being sent down from the senate, was permitted 
to progress, unmolested, in the house of representatives, 
to the third reading. On the final reading, an unex- 

21* 



246 PERIOD VII.— 1789 to 1797. 

pected opposition appeared against it, on the ground 
that banking systems were useless; that the proposed 
bill was defective ; but especially that congress was not 
vested, by the constitution, with the competent power to 
establish a national bank. 

These several objections were met, by the supporters 
of the bill, with much strength of argument. After a 
debate of great length, supported with the ardor excited 
by the importance of the subject, the bill was carried in 
the affirmative, by a majority of nineteen voices. 

A bill which had been agitated with so much warmth, in the 
house of representatives, the executive was now called upon to 
examine with reference to its sanction or rejection. The presi- 
dent required the opinions of the cabinet in writing. The secre- 
tary of state, Mr. Jefferson, and the attorney-general, Mr. Ran- 
dolph, considered the bill as decidedly unconstitutional. The 
secretary of the treasury, Mr. Hamilton, with equal decision, 
maintained the opposite opinion. A deliberate investigation of 
the subject satisfied the president, both of the constitutionality 
and utility of the bill, upon which he gave it his signature. 

The capital stock of the bank was ten millions of dollars, two 
millions to be subscribed for the benefit of the United States, 
and the residue by individuals. One fourth of the sums sub- 
scribed by individuals was to be paid in gold and silver, and three 
fourths in the public debt. By the act of incorporation, it was 
to be a bank of discount as well as deposit, and its bills, which 
were payable in gold and silver on demand, were made receivable 
in all payments to the United States. The bank was located at 
Philadelphia, with power in the directors to establish offices of 
discount and deposit only wherever they should think fit, within 
the United States. 

The duration of the charter was limited to the fourth of May, 
1811 ; and the faith of the United States was pledged, that, dur- 
ing that period, no other bank should be established under their 
authority. One of the fundamental articles of the ineorporatioii 
was, that no loan should be made to the United States, for more 
than one hundred thousand dollars, or to any particular state, for 
more than fifty thousand, or to any foreign prince, or state, un- 
less previously authorized by a law of the United States. The 
books were opened for subscriptions in July, 1791, and a much 
larger sum subscribed than was allowed by the charter ; and the 
bank went into successful operation.* 

The bill which had now passed, with those relating to the 

* Pitkin 



Washington's administration. 247 

finances of the coiintry, the assumption of the state debts, the fund- 
ing of the national debt, &c., contributed greatly to the complete 
organization of those distinct and visible parties, which, in their 
long- and ardent conflict for power, have since shaken the United 
States to their centre. 

12. While matters of high importance were occu- 
pying the attention, and party strife and conflicting 
interests were filling the counsels of congress with agi- 
tation, an Indian war opened on the north-western frontier 
of the states. Pacific arrangements had been attempted 
by the president with the hostile tribes, without elTect. 
On the failure of these, an offensive expedition was 
planned against the tribes north-West of the Ohio. 

The command of the troops, consisting of three hundred regu- 
lars, and about one tliousand two hundred Pennsylvania and 
Kentucky militia, was given to Gen. Harmar, a veteran officer 
of the revolution. His instructions required him, if possible, to 
bring the Indians to an engagement ; but, in any event, to de- 
stroy their settlements on the waters of the Scioto, a river falling 
into the Ohio, and the Wabash, in the Indiana territory. In 
tills expedition, Harmar succeeded in destroying some villages, 
and a quantity of grain, belonging to the Indians ; but in an en- 
gagement with them, near Chilicothe, he was routed with con- 
siderable loss. 

Upon the failure of Gen. Harmar, Major-General Arthur St. 
Clair was appointed to succeed him. Under the authority of an 
act of congress, the president caused a body of levies to be raised 
for six months, for the Indian service. 

13. Having arranged the north-western expedition, 
directing St. Clair to destroy the Indian villages on the 
Miami, and to drive the savages from the Ohio, the pres- 
ident commenced a tour through the Southern States sim- 
ilar to that which he made through the northern and 
central parts of the Union, in 1789. 

The same expressions of respect and affection awaited him, in 
every stage of his tour, which had been so zealously accorded to 
him in the north. Here, also, he enjoyed the high satisfaction of 
witnessing the most happy effects, resulting from the administra- 
tion of that government over which he presided. 

14. In December, intelligence was received by the 
president, that the army under Gen. St. Clair, in a bat- 



248 PERIOD VII. — 1789 to 1797. 

tie with the Indians, near the Miami, in Ohio, had been 
totally defeated, on the 4th of the preceding month. 

The army of St. Clair amounted to near one thousand five 
hundred men. The Indian force consisted of nearly the same 
number. Of the loss of the Indians, no estimate could be formed ; 
but the loss of the Americans was unusually severe r thirtj^-eight 
commissioned officers were killed in the field, and five hundred 
and ninety-three non-commissioned ofiicers and privates were 
slain and missing. Between two and three hundred officers and 
privates were wounded, many of whom afterwards died. This 
result of the expedition was as unexpected as unfortunate ; but 
no want either of ability, zeal, or intrepidity, was ascribed, by a 
committee of congress, appointed to examine the causes of its 
failure, to the commander of the expedition. 

15. Upon the news of St. Clair's defeat, a bill was in- 
troduced into congress for raising three additional regi- 
ments of infantry, and a squadron of cavalry, to serve 
for three years, if not sooner discharged. This bill, 
although finally carried, met with an opposition more 
warm and pointed, from the opposers of the administra- 
tion, than any which had before been agitated in the 
house. 

By those who opposed the bill, it was urged, that the war with 
the Indians was unjust; that militia would answer as well, and 
even better, than regular troops, and would be less expensive to 
support ; that adequate funds could not be provided ; and, more 
than all, that this addition of one regiment to the army after 
another, gave fearful intimation of monarchical designs on the 
part of those who administered the government. 

On the other hand, the advocates of the bill contended, that 
the war was a war of self-defence ; that, between the years 1783 
and 1790, not less than one thousand five hundred inhabitants of 
Kentucky, or emigrants to that country, and probably double 
that number, had been massacred by the Indians ; and' that re- 
peated efforts had been made by the government to obtain a peace, 
notwithstanding which, the butcheries of the savages still con- 
tinued in their most appalling forms. 

16. On the 8th of May, 1792, congress adjourned to 
the first Monday in November. The asperity which, on 
more than one occasion, had discovered itself in the 
course of debate, was a certain index of the growing 
exasperation of parties. With their adjournment, the 



Washington's adjiinistration. 249 

conflicting feelings of members in a measure subsided ; 
the opposition, however, to the administration, had be- 
come fixed. It was carried into retirement, was in- 
fused by members into their constituents, and a party 
was thus formed throughout tjie nation, hostile to the 
plans of government adopted by Washington, and his 
friends in the cabinet. 

17. On the 1st of June, 1792, Kentucky, by act of 
congress, was admitted into the Union as a state. 

The country now called Kentucky was well known to the 
Indian traders, many years before its settlement. By whom it 
was first explored is a matter of uncertainty, and has given rise 
to controversy. In 1752, a map was published by Lewis Evans, 
of the country on the Ohio and Kentucky rivers ; and it seems 
that one James Macbride, with others, visited this region in 1754. 
No further attempt was made to explore the country until 1767, 
when John Finley, of North Carolina, travelled over the ground 
on the Kentucky river, called by the Indians, '• the dark -and 
bloody ground." On returning to Carolina, Finley communicat- 
ed his discoveries to Col. Daniel Boone, who, in 1769, with some 
others, undertook to explore the country. After a long and fa- 
tiguing march, they discovered the beautiful valley of Kentucky. 
Col. Boone continued an inhabitant of this wilderness until] 771, 
when he returned to his family for the purpose of removing them, 
and forming a settlement in the new country. In 1773, having 
made the necessary preparations, he set out again with five fam- 
ilies and forty men, from Powell's Valley, and, after various im- 
pediments, reached the Kentucky river, in March, 1775, where 
he commenced a settlement. 

In the years 1778, 1779, and 1780, a considerable number of 
persons emigrated to Kentucky ; yet, in this latter year, after an 
unusually severe winter, the inhabitants were so distressed, that 
they came to the determination of abandoning the country for 
ever. They were fortunately diverted from this step by th* 
arrival of emigrants. During the revolutionary war, they suf- 
fered severely from the Indians incited by the British govern- 
ment. In 1778, Gen. Clarke overcame the Indians, and laid 
waste their villages. From this time, the inhabitants began to 
feel more secure, and the settlements were extended. In 1779, 
the legislature of Virginia, within whose limits this region lay, 
erected it into a county. In 1782, a supreme court, with an attor- 
ney-general, was established within the district. In the years 
1783, 1784, and 1785, the district was laid out into counties, and 
a great part of the country surveyed and patented. In 1785, 
an attempt was made to form an independent state but, a major- 



250 PERIOD VII. — 1789 TO 1707. 

ity of the inhabitants being opposed to the measure, it was de- 
layed until December, 1790, when it became a separate state. 

In 1792, as stated above, it was admitted into the Union. The 
growtli of Kentucky has been rapid, and she has obtained a re- 
spectable rank and influence among her sister states. 

18. During the recess of congress, preparations were 
hastened by the president, for a vigorous prosecution of 
the war with the Indians ; but such small inducements 
were presented to engage in the service, that a sufficient 
number of recruits could not be raised to authorize an^ 
expedition against them the present year. As the clam- 
or against the war, by the opposers of the administration, 
was still loud, the president deemed it advisable, while 
preparations for hostilities were advancing, to make 
another effort at negotiation with the unfriendly Indians. 
The charge of this business was committed to Col. Har- 
den and Maj. Freeman, two brave officers, and valuable 
men, who were murdered by the savages. 

19. On the opening of the next congress, in Novem- 
ber^ a motion was made to reduce the military establish- 
ment; but it did not prevail. The debate on this subject 
was peculiarly earnest, and the danger of standing 
armies was powerfully urged. This motion, designed 
as a reflection upon the executive, was followed by sev- 
eral resolutions, introduced by Mr. Giles, tending to 
criminate the secretary of the treasury, Mr. Hamilton, 
of misconduct, in relation to certain loans, negotiated 
under his direction. 

In three di-stinct reports, sent to the house, the secre- 
tary offered every required explanation, and ably-defend- 
ed himself against the attacks of the opposition. Mr. 
Giles, and some others, however, were not satisfied : 
other resolutions were, therefore, offered, whicii, although 
rejected, were designed to fix upon the secretary the 
reputation of an ambitious man, aiining at the acquisi- 
tion of dangerous power. 

During these discussions, vehement attacks were made upon 
the secretary' in the public prints. Hints also were suggested 
against the president himself; and although he was not openly 



Washington's administration. 251 

accused of being the head of the federal party, of favoring their 
cause, or designing to subvert the liberties of his country, yet it 
was apparent that such suspicions were entertained of him. 

On the 3d of March, 1793, a constitutional period 
was put to the existence of this congress. The members 
separated with obvious symptoms of irritation ; and it 
was not to be doubted that their efforts would be exert- 
ed to communicate to their constituents the feelings 
which agitated their bosoms. 

20. The time had now arrived, 1793, when the elec- 
tors of the states were again called upon to choose a 
chief magistrate of the Union. Washington had deter- 
mined to withhold himself from being again elected to 
the presidency, and to retire from the cares of political 
life. Various considerations, however, prevented the 
declaration of his wishes, and he was again unanimously 
elected to the chair of state. Mr. Adams was re-elected 
vice-president. 

21. Through the unceasing endeavors of the president 
to terminate the Indian war, a treaty had been negoti- 
ated with the Indians, on the Wabash ; and, through the 
intervention of the Six Nations, those of the Miamis had 
consented to a conference during the ensuing spring. 
Offensive operations were, therefore, suspended, although 
the recruiting service was industriously urged, and as- 
siduous attention was paid to the discipline and prepara- 
tion of the troops. 

22. The Indian war, though of real importance, was 
becoming an object of secondary consideration. The 
revolution in France was now progressing, and began so 
to affect our relation with that country, as to require an 
exertion of all the wisdom and firmness of the govern- 
ment. Early in April, also, information was received 
of the declaration of war by France against England and 
Holland. 

This event excited the deepest interest in the United States. 
A large majority of the people, grateful for the aid that France 
had given us in our revolution, and devoted to the cause of lib- 
erty, °vere united in fervent wishes for the success of the French 



252 PERIOD VII.— 1789 to 1797. 

republic* At the same time, the prejudices against Great Bnt 
ain, which had taken deep root during the revolution, now 
sprung forth afresh, and the voice of many was heard, urging 
the propriety of the United States making a common cause with 
France against Great Britain. 

A pressing occurrence had called Washington to 
Mount Vernon, when intelligence arrived of the rupture 
between France and England. Hastening his return to 
Philadelphia, he summoned the attention of his cabinet 
to several questions, respecting the course of conduct 
proper for the United States to observe in relation to the 
belligerents. 

Although sensible of the prejudices existing in the 
country against Great Britain, and of the friendly dispo- 
sition which prevailed towards France, it was the unan- 
imous opinion of the cabinet, that a strict neutrality 
should be observed by the United States towards the 
contending powers. The council was also unanimous, 
that a minister from the French republic should be re- 
ceived, should one be sent. In accordance with the ad- 
vice of his cabinet, the president issued his proclamation 
of neutrality, on the 22d of April, 1793. 

This proclamation, being without legislative sanction, soon, 
became the subject of loud invective. The opposition party, 
through the press, pronounced it ''a royal edict," an assumption 
of power on the p;i rt of the president, and a proof of his monarchi- 
cal disposition. They denounced the conduct of the executive 
as dishonorable, and an act of neutrality, as high ingratitude 
towards France, the firm and magnanimous ally of the United 

*The revolution in France commenced about the year 1789. It seems to 
have been hastened, or brought on, by the new ideas of freedom, which had 
been imbibed liy the French army in the United States, and thence dissem- 
inated among the people of France, for a long time oppressed and degraded 
by a despotic government. Unfortunately, the revolution fell into the hands 
of selfish and unprincipled men, who, in 179.3, executed their king, Louis 
XVI., and, soon after, his family, and murdered or imprisoned those who 
were suspected of hostility to their views, and involved France in a scene 
of guilt and bloodshed, which cannot be contemplated without horror. In 
the first stages of this revolution, the friends of liberty throughout the world 
were full of hopes for a melioration of the political condition of France ; 
but these hopes were soon blasted by the sanguinary steps adopted by the 
revolutionists. Had they been men governed by reason and religion, instead 
of unbi idled ambition ; actuated by a philanthropic regard to the good of the 
people, instead of a selfish thirst of power j France to this day miirht have 
enjoyed the blessings of a free government. 



Washington's administration. 253 

States, which had assisted in achieving the liberties of the 
country. 

23. As was anticipated, the republic of France re- 
called the minister of the crown, and appointed a min- 
ister of its own, Mr. Genet, to succeed him. His mis- 
sion had for its object the enlisting of America in the 
cause of France, against Great Britain. Flattered by 
the manner in which he was received by the people, as 
well as by their professions of attachment to his country, 
Mr. Genet early anticipated the accomplishment of his 
object. Presuming too much upon this attachment, he 
was led into a series of acts infringing the neutrality 
proclaimed by the president. He also attempted to 
rouse the people against the government, because it did 
not second all his views. At length, on the advice of 
[ his cabinet, the president solicited of the French re- 
I public the recall of Mr. Genet, and the appointment of 
I some one to succeed him. Monsieur Fauchet was ap- 
pointed, and was instructed to assure the American gov- 
I ernment, that France totally disapproved of the conduct 
! of his predecessor. 

1 Mr. Genet, on his arrival in the country, landed at Charleston, 
\ S. C. He was received by the governor of that state, and by the 
I citizens, with a flow of enthusiastic feeling, equalled only by 
, that which had been evinced towards his nation at the conquest 
' of Yorktown. 

Soon after landing at Charleston, he began to authorize the fit- 
ting and arming of vessels in that port, enlisting men, and giv- 
1 ing commissions to cruise and commit hostilities against nations 
with which the United States were at peace. Vessels captured 
' by these cruisers were brought into port, and the consuls of 
France, under the authority of Genet, not yet recognized as a 
minister by the American government, assumed the power of 
holding courts of admiralty on themj of trying and condemning 
them, and of authorizing their sale. 

On the meeting of congress, December, 1793, the proclamation 
of neutrality was approved by them, as well as the conduct of the 
government towards Mr. Genet. 

Finding on most questions, arising between the French minis- 
ter and the government of the United States, a wide and an in- 
creasing difference of views, and perceiving no beneficial effects 



254 PERIOD VII. — 1789 to 1797. 

resulting from his continuance in that character, the cabinet 
unanimously advised his recall. 

24. 1794. On the last day of December, 1793, Mr. 
Jefferson, the secretary of state, resigned his office, and 
was succeeded by Edmund Randolph, the then attorney- 
general. This latter office was filled by William Brad- 
ford, a gentleman of considerable eminence m Pennsyl- 
vania. 

25. During the session of congress this year, a resolu- 
tion passed to provide a naval force adequate to the pro- 
tection of the commerce of the United States against 
the Algerine corsairs. The force proposed was to con- 
sist of six frigates, four of forty-four, and two of thirty-six 
guns. 

This measure was founded upon the communications of the 
president, from which it appeared that the prospect of being able 
to negotiate a treaty of peace with the dey of Algiers was doubt 
ful ; that eleven American merchant vessels, and upwards of one 
hundred citizens, had been captured by them ; and that further 
preparations were making for a renewed attack upon unprotect- 
ed vessels belonging to the United States. 

26. During this session of congress, a law passed, 
prohibiting the carrying on of the slave trade from the 
American ports. 

England had been actively engaged in the slave trade nearly 
. fifty years, when the first settlement was effected in Virginia. 
Slavery was early introduced into the American colonies. The 
first slaves, about tv/enty in number, were brought to Virginia, irj 
1619, by a Dutch ship. The importation of them gradually in- 
creased, and although principally bought by the southern plant- 
ers, slaves were soon found, in great numbers, in all the colo- 
nies. In 1784, they amounted to six hundred thousand ; in 1790, 
to six hundred and ninety-seven thousand six hundred and 
ninety-six. 

A disgust towards this inhuman traffic appeared very early in 
the colonies ; but it was countenanced and patronized by the 
English government, and thus introduced into, and fastened 
upon the country, without the power, on the part of the colonies, 
to arrest it. 

In Massachusetts, in 1645, a law was made, " prohibiting the 
buying and selling of slaves, except those taken in lawful war ' 
or reduced to servitude by their crimes." In 1703, the same 
colony imposed a heavy duty «)n every negro imported; and, in 



Washington's administration. 255 

a subsequent law on the subject, they called the practice '' the tin- 
natural and unaccountable custom of enslaving man/and." In Vir- 
ginia, as early as 1699, attempts were made to repress the impor- 
tation of slaA'^es, by heavy duties. These, and other acts, show 
that the North American provinces would, if left to themselves, 
have put an end to the importation of slaves, before the era of 
their independence. 

In 1778, Virginia abolished the traffic bylaw; Coniiecticut, 
Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, prohibited it be- 
ibre the year 1789. The continental congress passed a resolu- 
tion against the purchase of slaves imported from Africa, and 
exhorted the colonies to abandon the trade altogether. The third 
congress of the United States, as stated above, prohibited the 
trade, by law. Thus we see, in the United States, a very early 
and settled aversion to the slave trade manifesting itself; and be- 
fore European nations had consented to relinquish it, several of 
the states had utterly prohibited it. 

27. At this session, also, several measures were adopt- 
ed in anticipation of a war with Great Britain, growing 
out of her commercial restrictions, which bore heavy, and 
operated most unjustly, upon the United States. Bills 
were passed for laying an embargo for thirty days — for 
erecting fortifications — for organizing the militia, and 
increasing the standing army. As an adjustment of dif- 
ferences, however, seemed desirable, Mr. Jay was ap- 
pointed envoy extraordinary to the court of St. James, 
and succeeded in negotiating a treaty with Great Britain 
the following year. 

Among the offensive acts of the government of Great Britain, 
was an order of June, 1793, prohibiting the exportation of corn 
to France, and authorizing the capture of neutral vessels carrying 
it thither. Under this order, many American vessels were cap- 
tured, and carried into England. In November following, addi- 
tional instructions were given by the British cabinet, to ships of 
war and privateers, to bring into port, for trial, all ships laden 
with goods from France, or her colonies, and such as were carry- 
ing provisions, or other supplies, to either. To these causes of 
complaint. Great Britain had added another, viz. neglecting to 
deliver up the western posts according to treaty. 

While measures were taking, in anticipation of war, the presi- 
dent received advices from England, that the order of November 
had been considerably modified ; that most of the merchant ves- 
sels which had been carried into port for trial, would be released; 



256 PERIOD VII.— 1789 to 1797. 

and that a disposition for peace with the United States existed in 
the British cabinet. 

These advices opened to the president the prospect of restoring 
a good understanding between the two nations, and induced liim 
immediately to nominate an envoy to settle existing differences, 
and to negotiate commercial arrangements. The nomination of 
Mr. Jay was approved, in the-^enate, by a majority often. 

To those opposed to the administration, no step could have 
been more unexpected or disagreeable, than this decisive meas- 
m-e of the president. Prejudices against Great Britain had 
risen to their height, and hostilities against her were loudly de- 
manded, as both just and necessary. It was not singular, there- 
fore, that, for this act, the president should receive the severest 
censures of the opposition party, nor that all who favored his 
efforts for peace should be included in the general denunciation. 

28. The suspension of hostilities against the Indians 
in the north-west, in consequence of their consenting to 
a conference in the spring of 1794, has already been 
noticed. [Sec. 21.) This effort to conclude a treaty with 
them failing, Gen. Wayne, who had succeeded Gen. St. 
Clair, engaged the Indians, August 20th, 1794, on the 
banks of the Miami, and gained a complete victory over 
them. 

The American troops engaged in this battle did not exceed 
nine hundred ; the Indians amounted to two thousand. In this 
decisive engagement. Gen. Wayne lost one hundred and seven 
in killed and wounded, including officers. Afler the battle, he 
proceeded to lay waste the whole Indian country. By means of 
this victory over the Miamis, a general war with the Six Nations, 
and all the tribes north-west of the Ohio, was prevented. 

29. This year, 1794, was distinguished by an insur- 
rection in Pennsylvania, known by the name of the 
*' Whiskey Insurrection," growing out of laws enacted 
by congress, in 1791, laying duties on spirits distilled 
within the IJnited States, and upon stills. In August, 
the president issued his proclamation, commanding the 
insurgents to disperse. This not having the desired 
effect, a respectable body of militia was ordered out, un- 
der Gov. Lee, of Maryland, on whose approach the in- 
surgents laid down their arms, solicited the clemency of 



Washington's administration, 257 

the government, and promised future submission t» 
the laws. 

From the time that duties were laid upon spirits distilled with- 
in the United States, ifec.. combination* were formed, in the four 
western counties of Pennsylvania, to prevent their collection. 
Numerous meetings were held at diflerent times and places, at 
which resolutions were passed, and, in several instances, vio- 
lences were committed upon the officers of the revenue. Eigh- 
teen of the insurgents were taken, and tried for treason, but not 
convicted. 

30. 1795. January 1st, Col. Hamilton resigned the 
office of secretary of the treasury, and was succeeded 
by Oliver Wolcott, of Connecticut. Nearly at the same 
time, Timothy Pickering succeeded Gen. Knox, in the 
department of war. 

31. In June, Mr. Jay having succeeded in negotiating 
a treaty with Great Britain, the senate was convened to 
consider its merits. After an elaborate discussion of it, 
that body advised to its ratification by a majority of 
twenty to ten. Notwithstanding the great opposition to 
it that prevailed among the enemies of Great Britain, 
the president gave it his signature. Contrary to the 
predictions of many in the country, the treaty settled 
existing difficulties between the two nations, prevented 
a war, which previously seemed fast approaching, and 
proved of great advantage-to the United States. 

The treaty, when published, found one party prepared for its 
condemnation, while the other was not ready for its defence. 
Time was necessary for a judicious and careful consideration of 
its merits. 

In the populous cities, mieetings were immediately called, and 
resolutions and addresses forwarded to the president requesting 
him to withhold his assent. Upon the president, however, these 
had no other effect, than to induce him to weigh still more care 
fully the merits of the treaty. When, at length, he was satisfied 
of its utility, he signed it, although he thereby incurred the cen- 
sures of a nmnerous portion of the citizens. 

32. In the course of the following autumn, treaties 
were concluded with the dey of Algiers, and with the 
Miamis in the west. By the former treaty, American 

22* 



258 PERIOD VII. — 1789 to 1797. 

citizens, in captivity in Algiers, were liberated : and by 
the latter, the western frontiers of the United States 
were secured from savage invasion. A treaty with Spain 
soon after followed, by which the claims of the United 
States, on the important points of boundary, and the 
navigation of the Mississippi, were fully conceded. 

83. On the first of June, 1796, Tennessee was ad- 
mitted, by act of congress, into the Union as a state. 

Tennessee derives its name from its principal river. This 
name, in the langujige of the Indians, signifies a curved spoon, 
the curvature, to their imaginations, resembling that of the river 
Tennessee. 

The territory of Tennessee was granted, in 1G64, by Charles 
II. to the Earl of Clarendon, and others, bein^ included in the 
limits of the Carolinas. About the beginning of the next century, 
Carohna was divided into two provinces, and Tennessee fell to 
the lot of the northern province. Near the year 1754. fifty fam- 
ilies were settled on the Cumberland river, where Nashville now 
stands ; but they were dislodged by the savages soon after. In 
1765, a number of emigrants settled themselves beyond the pres- 
ent limits of North Carolina, and were the first of the colonists 
of Tennessee. By the year 1773, the inhabitants had considera- 
bly increased. When the constitution of North Carolina was 
formed, in 1776, that district sent deputies to the meeting. In 
the year 1780, a small colony of about forty families, under the 
dire,ction of James Robertson, crossed the mountains, and settled 
on the Cumberland river, where they founded Nashville. In 1785, 
the inhabitants of Tennessee, feeling the inconveniences of a 
government so remote as that in the capital of North Carolina, 
endeavored to form an independent one, to which they intended 
to give the name of the " State of Franklin ;" but, differing among 
themselves, the scheme for the time was abandoned. In 1789, 
the legislature of North Carolina passed an act ceding the terri- 
tory, on certain conditions, to the United States. Congress, in 
the following year, accepted the cession, and by another act, 
passed on the 26th of May, 1790, provided for its government 
under the title of ''The territory of the United States, south of 
the Ohio." In 1796, congress passed an act enabling the people 
to form a state constitution, which having been adopted and ap- 
proved, Tehnessee was acknowledged as a sovereign state in the 
Union. 

34. On the meeting of congress in 1796, resolutions 
were passed to carry into effect the treaties negotiated 



259 

the preceding year. On the subject of the treaty with 
Great Britain, the liveliest sensibility still prevailed. 
After a spirited and protracted debate of seven weeks, 
on the subject of making the necessary arrangements for 
this treaty, resolutions to that effect passed the house by 
a majority of only three. 

35. As the time for a new election of the chief magis- 
trate of the Union approached. Gen. Washington signi- 
fied his intention to retire from public life. Wishing to 
terminate his political course with an act suitable to his 
own character, and permanently useful to his country- 
men, he published a valedictory address to the people of 
the United States, fraught with maxims of the highest 
political importance, and with sentiments of the warm- 
est affection for his country. 

In conclusion, this great and good man bore his solemn testi- 
mony to the importance of religion and morality, as intimately 
connected with political prosperity. ^^ Of all the dispositions and 
habits which lead to political prosperity," he observed, '■'^ religion 
and morality axe indispensable supports. In vain would that man 
claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these 
great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties 
of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious 
man, ought to respect and cherish them. A volume could not 
trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let 
it simply be asked. Where is the security for property, for reputa- 
tion, for life, if the sense of religious obligations desert the oaths 
•which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice .'' 
And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality 
can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded 
to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar struc- 
ture, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national 
morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." 

36. In February, 1797, the votes for his successor 
were opened and counted in the presence of both houses 
of congress. The highest number appearing in favor of 
Mr. Adams, he was declared to be elected president of 
the United States, for the four years ensuing, commenc- 
ing on the 4th of March. Mr. Jefferson succeeded Mr. 
Adams in the vice-presidency. 



260 PERIOD VII. — 1789 TO 1797. 



NOTES. 

37. Manners. We can remark, during this period, 
no very distinct change in the manners of the people 
of the United States, except that the introduction of 
French philosophy seems to have affected, in some de- 
gree, the sober habits and strict morality of the people, 
which, although relaxed by the war, had now begun to 
resume their influence. 

33. Religion. At the close of the preceding period, 
we observed that religion had revived, in a degree, from 
the injuries it suffered during the revolutionary war ; and 
we might have expected, that, -under the auspices of a 
wise and settled government, conducted by a practical 
Christian like Washington, it would have acquired a still 
more commanding influence. Such, however, was not 
the fact. 

As the people of the United States heartily espoused 
the cause of the revolution in France, and sympathized 
with that people, in their struggle for freedom, it was but 
too natural, that the sentiments of the revolutionists, on 
other than political subjects, should be imbibed. As the 
French revolutionists were almost universally deists, or 
atheists, these sentiments were extensively spread over 
the United States. 

For a time, the boldness of the enterprises, the splendor of the 
victories, and the importance of the conquests, achieved by the 
French republic, promoted the extension of French infidelity in the 
United. States. '• Most eyes," says Dr. Dwight, '• were disabled 
from seeing the nature of the purposes which the revolutionists 
had in view, and of the characters which were exhibited on this 
singular stage. In the agitation and amazement excited in all 
men, few retained so steady optics as to discern, without confu- 
sion, the necessary consequences of this stupendous shock." 

Infidelity was also greatly extended, at this time, by the writ- 
ings of Paine, Godwin, and others, which were industriously 
circulated through the country.* The perspicuous and sim- 

* Godwin's Political Justice, and Paine's Age of Reason, powerfully 
urged on the tide of infidelity. An enormous edition of the latter publica- 
tion was printed in France, and sent to America, to be sold for a few pence 
only ; and Where it could not be sold, it was given away. 



Washington's administration. 261 

pie style of Paine, his keen powers of ridicule, directed against 
the Bible, and above all, the gratitude which multitudes felt for 
the aid his pen had given to our revolution, contributed to im- 
part to him a peculiarly powerful influence. His vicious life, 
however, and the horrible enormities committed by the French 
revolutionists, gave such a fearful comment upon their principles, 
as at length, in a great measure, to bring them into discredit, and 
to arrest their growing influence. 

39. Trade and Commerce. These flourished, dur- 
ing this period, beyond all former example. In 1797, 
the exports of the United States, of all kinds, amounted 
to fifty-six millions eight hundred and fifty thousand two 
hundred and six dollars. The imports amounted to sev- 
enty-five millions three hundred and seventy-nine thou- 
sand four hundred and six dollars. Our vessels visited 
every part of the world, and brought wealth and luxu- 
ries from every country. 

40. Agriculture. Aside from the importance of 
agriculture, as furnishing us with the greatest portion of 
our food, it began now to derive greater consequence, 
as furnishing materials for our manufactures, and, still 
more, as contributing largely to our exports. In 1796, 
it was estimated that three fourths of the inhabitants of 
the United States, if not a greater proportion, were em- 
ployed in agricultural pursuits. 

41. Arts and Manufactures. During this period, 
manufactures attracted the attention of government. 
Mr. Hamilton, secretary of the treasury, made a report 
to congress, on the subject, in which he set forth their 
importance to the country, and urged the policy of aid- 
ing them. Since that time, the revenue laws have been 
framed with the view to the encouragement of manu- 
factures, and their promotion has been considered as a 
part of the settled policy of the United States. Although 
the flourishing state of commerce commanded the atten- 
tion, and absorbed the capital of the country, in some 
degree, to the exclusion of other objects, still manufac- 
tures made considerable progress. 

42. Population. The inhabitants of the United 



.262 PERIOD vii. — 1789 to 1797. 

States, at the close of this period, amounted to about 
five millions. 

43. Education. The adoption of the federal consti- 
tution placed the political affairs of the United States on 
a permanent basis ; and since that period, learning has 
flourished. 

In 1791, the University of Vermont was established at Burling- 
ton ; Williams' College, Massachusetts, in 1793 ; Union College, 
at Schenectady, New York, and Greenville College, Tennessee, 
in 1794 ; Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, in Maine, 1796. An 
Historical Society was formed in Massachusetts, in 1791, and in- 
corporated in 1794. It has published twenty-three volumes of 
documents designed to illustrate the past and present state of the 
country. 



REFLECTIONS. 

44. A short time since, we were occupied in considering the 
United States struggling for independence, under Washington, 
as a leader of their armies. Under his guidance, we saw thera 
triumph, and become a free nation. We have also seen them, 
with Washington at the head of the convention, forming our ex- 
cellent constitution. We now see them, with Washington their 
chief magistrate, taking their place among the sovereignties of 
the earth, and launching forth on the full tide of successful ex- 
periment. 

Under Washington, as our leader, we won our independence ; 
formed our constitution ; established our government. And what 
reward does be ask for services like these ? Does he ask a dia- 
dem ? Does he lay his hand upon our national treasury ? Does 
he claim to be emperor of the nation that had risen up under his 
auspices ? No. Although '' first in war, first in peace, first in the 
hearts of his countrymen," — he sublimely retires to the peaceful 
occupations of rural life, content with the honor of having been 
instrumental in achieving the independence, and securing the 
happiness of his country. 

There is no parallel in history to this ' By the side of Wash 
ington, Alexander is degraded to a selfish destroyer of his race , 
Caesar becomes the dazzled votary of power ; and Bonaparte, a 
bafiled aspirant to universal dominion. 

Washington has been the theme of eulogy in every nation. 
*' His military successes," it has been well said, " were more 
solid than brilliant, and judgment, rather than enthusiasm, regu- 
lated his conduct in battle. In the midst of the inevitable dis- 
oider of camps, and the excesses inseparable from civil war^ 



Washington's administration. 263 

humanity tilways found a refuge in his tent. In the morning of 
triumph, and in the darkness of adversity, he was alike serene ; 
at all times tranquil as wisdom and simple as virtue. After the 
acknowledgment of American independence, when the unani- 
mous suffrages of a free people called him to administer their 
government, his administration, partaking of his character, was 
mild and firm at home, noble and prudent abroad."* 

* Inchiquin's Lettere. 



UNITED STATES. 
PERIOD VIII. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR ADAMs's ADMINISTRATION. 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Adams, 
1797, to the Inauguration of Tliomas Jefferson, as 
President of the United States, 1801. 

Sec. 1. On the fourth of March, 1797, Mr. Adams, 
in the presence of the senate, of the officers of the 
general and state goveraments, and a numerous con- 
course of spectators, took the oath of office, as president 
of the United States. 

The condition of the country, at the close of Wash- 
ington's administration, and the commencement of Mr. 
Adams's, was greatly improved from that of 1789, the 
period'at which the former entered upon his office. 

At home, a sound credit had been established ; an immense 
floating debt had been funded in a manner perfectly satisfactory 
to the creditors, and an ample revenue had been provided. 
Those difficulties, which a system of internal taxation, on its 
first introduction, is doomed to encounter, were completely re- 
moved ; and the authority of the government was firmly es- 
tablished. 

Funds for the gradual payment of the debt had been provided ; 
a considerable part of it had actually been discharg'ed ; and that 
system which is now operating its entire extinction, had been 
matured and adopted. The agricultural and commercial wealth 
of the nation had increased beyond all former example. The 
numerous tribes of Indians, on the wet^t. had been taught, by 
anjfis and by justice, to respect th€ United States, and to continue 
in peace. 



ADAMS's ADMINISTRATION. 265 

» 

, Abroad, the differences with Spain had been accommodated. 
The free navigation of the Mississippi had been acquired, with 
the use of New Orleans, as a place of deposit, for three years, 
and afterwards, until some equivalent place should be designated. 

Those causes of mutual exasperation, which had threatened 
to involve the United States in a war with the greatest maritime 
and commercial power in the world, had been removed ; and the 
military posts which had been occupied within their territory, 
from their existence as a nation, had been evacuated. Treaties 
had been formed with Algiers and Tripoli, and no captures ap- 
pear to have been made by Tunis ; so that the Mediterranean 
<*'as opened to American vessels. 

This bright prospect was, indeed, in part, shaded by the dis- 
contents of France. But the causes of these discontents it had 
h«en impossible to avoid, without surrendering the right of self- 
(Tovernment. Such was the situation of the United States at 
^iie close of Washington's, and the commencement of Adams's 
administration. 

2. Just before Washington retired from office, learn- 
ing that France meditated hostilities against the United 
States, by way of depredations on her West India com- 
merce, he had recalled Mr. Monroe, then minister to 
that court, and despatched Gen. C. C. Pinckney, minis- 
ter plenipotentiary, to adjust existing differences. 

Immediately upon succeeding to the presidency, Mr. 
Adams received intelligence that the French republic 
had announced to Gen. Pinckney its determination " not 
to receive another minister from the United States, until 
after the redress of grievances," &c. 

On the receipt of this intelligence, the president is- 
sued hie proclamation to convene congress on the 15th 
of June. In his speech on that occasion, having stated 
the indignity offered the United States by France, in 
refusing to receive her minister, the president, in the 
tone of a high-minded and independent American, urged . 
congress " to repel this indignity of the French govern- 
ment, by a course which shall convince that government 
and the world, that we are not a degraded people, hu- 
miliated under a colonial spirit of fear and a sense of in- 
feriority, fitted to be the miserable instruments of foreign 
2n 



266 PERIOD VIII.— 1797 to 1801. 

influence, and regardless of national honor, character, 
and interest." 

Notwithstanding this language, the president still 
retained a desire for peace. Upon his recommendation, 
three envoys extraordinary, C. C. Pinckney, Elbridge 
Gerry, and John Marshall, were appointed to the French 
republic, to carry into effect the pacific dispositions of 
the United States. 

3. For a considerable time, no certain intelligence 
reached the country respecting the negotiations at Paris. 
At length, in the winter of 1798, letters were received 
from the American envoys, indicating an unfavorable 
state of things ; and in the spring, despatches arrived, 
which announced the total failure of the mission. 

Before the French government would acknowledge the envoys, 
money, by way of trihite. was demanded in explicit terms of the 
United States. This being refused, an attempt was next made to 
excite the fears of the American ministers for their country and 
themselves. The immense power of France was painted in 
glowing colors, the humiliation of the house of Austria was stated, 
and the conquest of Britain was confidently anticipated. In the 
friendship of France alone, they were told, could America lock 
for safety. 

During these transactions, occasion was repeatedly taken to 
insult the American government ; open war was continued to be 
urged by the cruisers of France on American commerce ; and th& 
flag of the United States was a sufficient justification for the cap 
ture and condemnation of any vessel over which it waved. 

4. Perceiving further negotiations to be in vain, con 
gress now proceeded to the adoption of vigorous meas 
ures for retaliating injuries, which had been sustained, 
and for repelling still greater injuries, which were threat- 
ened. Amongst these measures was the augmentation 
of the regular army. 

A regiment of artillerists and engineers was added to the per- 
manent establishment, and the president was authorized to raise 
twelve additional regiments of infantry, and one regiment of car* 
airy. He was also authorized to appoint officers for a provisional 
army, and to receive and organize volunteer corps. 

By the unanimous consent of the senate, Gen. Wash- 
ington was appointed lieutenant-general and command- 



Adams's administration. 267 

er-in-chief of all the armies raised, or to be raised, in the 
United States. 

5. While preparations were thus making for war, in- 
direct pacific overtures were communicated by the 
French government to the president, and a willingness 
expressed to accommodate existing differences on rea- 
sonable terms. 

Solicitous to restore that harmony and good under- 
standing, which had formerly existed between the two 
countries, the president listened to these overtures, and 
appointed three envoys — Oliver Ellsworth, chief justice 
of the United States; Patrick Henry,* then late govern- 
or of Virginia ; and William Vans Murray, minister at 
the Hague — to discuss and settle, by treaty, all contro- 
*'ersies between the United States and France. 

On the arrival of these envoys at Paris, they found 
the government in the hands of Bonaparte, who had not 
been concerned in the transactions which had disturbed 
the peace of the two countries. Negotiations were com- 
menced, which terminated in a treaty of peace, Septem- 
ber 30, 1800 ; soon after which the provisional army in 
America was, by order of congress, disbanded. 

6. On the 14th of December, 1799, Gen. Washington 
expired, at his seat at Mount Vernon, in Virginia, leav- 
ing a nation to mourn his loss, and to embalm his mem- 
ory with their tears. 

Believing, at the commencement of his complaint, that its con- 
clusion would be mortal, he economized his time in arranging, 
with the utmost serenity, those few concerns which required his 
attention. To his physician he expressed his conviction that he 
was dying ; " but," said he, " / am not afraid to die." 

On the arrival of the news of his death at Philadelphia, Mon- 
day, congress immediately adjourned. On the day succeeding, 
resolutions were adopted expressive of the grief of the members, 
and a committee was appointed to devise a mode by v^^hich the 
national feelings should be expressed. 

This committee, in their report, recommended that a marble 
monument be erected by the United States, at the city of Wash- 

* Before the time of embarkation, Mr. Henry died, and Gov. Davie of. 
North Carolina was appointed in his room. 



268 PERIOD VIII.— 1797 to 1801. 

ington, to commemorate the great events of Washington's mili- 
tary and political life ; that a funeral oration be delivered by a 
member of congress ; that the president be requested to write a 
letter of condolence to Mrs. Washington ; and that it be recom- 
mended to the citizens of the United States, to wear crape on the 
left arm for thirty days. 

These resolutions passed both houses unanimously. The whole 
nation appeared in mourning. The funeral procession at the city 
of Philadelphia was grand and solemn, and the eloquent oration, 
delivered on the occasion by Gen. Henry Lee, was heard with 
profound attention, and with deep interest. 

Throughout the United States, similar marks of affliction 
were exhibited. Funeral orations were delivered, and the best 
talents devoted to an expression of grief, at the loss of'' the man, 
first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow 
citizens." 

7. In 1800, agreeably to a resolution passed in con- 
gress in 1790, (Per. VII. Sec. 8.) the seat of government 
was transferred from Philadelphia to the city of Wash- 
ington, in the district of Columbia. 

The District of Columbia is a territory of ten miles square. It 
is about three hundred miles from the sea, at the head of tide 
water on the Potomac, which runs through it diagonally, near 
the centre. It was ceded, in 171>0, to the United States, by Mary- 
land and Virginia, and it is under the immediate government of 
congress. 

8. On tJie 4th of March, 1801, Mr. Adams's term of 
office as president would expire. Before the arrival of 
the time for a new election, it had been pretty certainly 
predicted, that he could not be re-elected. His admin- 
istration, through the whole course of it, had been the 
subject of much popular clamor, especially by the demo- 
cratic party. But the measures, which most excited the 
opposition of that party, and which v/ere most success- 
fully employed to destroy the popularity of Mr. Adams's 
administration, and to place the government in other 
■hands, were several laws passed during his presidency, 
amouCT which were the ''Alien'' and "Sedition" laws. 

o 

By the " alien law/' the president was authorized to order any 
alien, whom " he should judge dangerous to the peace and safety 
of the United States, &c., to depart out of the territory, within 



ADAMs's ADMINISTRATION. 269 

such time " as he should judge proper, upon penalty of being^ 
" imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years," &;c. 

Tiie design of the " sedition laze,'' so called, was to punish the 
abuse of speech, and of the press. It imposed a heavy ])ecuniary 
fine, and imprisonment for a term of years, upon such as should 
combine or conspire together to oppose any measure of govern- 
ment; upon such as should write, print, utter, publish, &c., '' any 
false, scandalous, and malicious writing against the government 
of the United States, or either house of the congress of the Uni- 
ted States, or the president," &c. 

These acts, together with others for raising a standing army, 
and imposing a direct tax and internal duties, with other causes, 
so increased the opposition to Mr. Adams's administration, as to 
prevent his re-election, and greatly to weaken the strength of that 
party to whom he owed his elevation to the presidency. 

9. The strife of parties, during the term of election- 
eering, was spirited. On canvassing the votes of the 
electors for president, it was found that Mr. Jefferson 
and Mr. Burr had each seventy-three votes, Mr. Adams 
sixty-five, and C. C. Pinckney sixty-four. As the con- 
stitution provided that the person having the greatest 
number of votes should be president, and Mr. Jefferson 
and Mr. Burr having an equal number, it became the 
duty of the house of representatives, voting by states, to 
decide between these two gentlemen. 

The ballot was taken for several days in succession, 
February, 1801, before a choice was made. The feder- 
al party generally supported Mr. Burr ; the democratic 
party Mr. Jefferson. At length, after much political heat 
and party animosity, the choice fell upon the latter, who 
was declared to be elected president of the United States 
for four years, commencing March 4th, 1801. Mr. Burr 
was elected vice-president. 

As this was the first time that the election of president had 
come before congress, since the adoption of the constitution, a 
deep interest was taken in the subject. This interest was height- 
ened by the excited state of parties, into which congress itself, 
and the people of the United States, were divided. The mode 
of proceeding to the election of president, therefore, was settled 
in due form and solemnity. Among other rules, it was settled, 
that, after the balloting had commenced, the house should not 
adjourn, until a choice was made ; that tlie doors of the hoiKO 

23* 



270 i»ERioD vm.— 1797 to 1801. 

should be closed, during the balloting, except against the officers 
of the house ; that, in balloting, the representatives of the respec 
live states should be so seated, that the delegation of each state 
should be together. The representatives of eacii state were to 
ballot among themselves : duplicates of these ballots were to be 
made, and placed in two ballot boxes. When all the states had 
thus voted, the ballot boxes were to be carried by the sergeant- 
at-arms to two separate tables. The ballots were then to be 
counted by tellers, eight in number, at each table. When count- 
ed, the reports were to be announced fronveach table : if these 
reports agreed, they were to be accepted, as the true votes of the 
states ; if they differed, a new balloting was to be made. 

On Wednesday, the 11th of February, the votes from the sev- 
eral electoral' colleges were counted in the senate chamber, in 
presence of both houses ; and the result was declared by the 
president to be, no choice — Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr having 
each an equal number of votes. 

The question therefore devolving upon the house of representa- 
tives, that body returned to their chamber, where seats had been 
previously prepared for the members of the senate. A call of the 
members of the house, arranged according to states, was then 
made ; upon which it appeared that every member was present, 
except Gen. Sumpter, who was unwell, and unable to attend. 
Mr. Nicholson, of Maryland, was also unwell, but attended, and 
had a bed prepared for him in one of the committee rooms, to 
which place the ballot-box was carried to him, by the tellers, on 
the part of the state. 

The first ballot was eight states for Mr. Jefferson, six for Mr. 
Burr, and two divided ; which result continued to be the same 
after balloting thirty-five times. The thirty-sixth ballot deter- 
mined the question. 

This important decision took place at twelve o'clock on the 
17th of February, when there appeared for Mr. Jefferson ten 
states ; for Mr. Burr four states ; and the remaining two were 
blank ballots. The states which voted for Mr. Jefferson were, 
Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Mary- 
land, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. The 
states for Mr. Burr were, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Con- 
necticut, and Rhode Island. The blank states were Delaware 
and South Carolina. 



NOTES. 

10. Manners. The manners of the people of the 
United States underwent no marked change during this 
period. 



ADAMS's ADMINISTRATION. 271. 

11. Religion, Although infidelity does not seem to 
have made much progress in the United States, during 
this period, it was evident that it had taken deep root in 
many minds. 

Infidels, however, were less confident, and less ready to avow 
their sentiments. They stood abashed before the world, at the 
fearful and blood-chilling horrors which their principles had 
poured out upon France. Their doctrines were, at the same time, 
powerfully refuted by the ablest men both in England and Ameri- 
ca. At length, they ceased to make proselytes, spoke favorably 
of the Christian religion, generally admitted that it was absolute- 
ly necessary to good government ; and error, with regard to re- 
ligion, assumed a new form. 

Towards the close of this period, a revival of religion com- 
menced in New England, and seems to have been the beginning 
of that series of levivals which have since overspread the United 
States. Some sects, which had before regarded '^ revivals of re- 
ligion " with suspicion or aversion, became convinced of their 
utility, and began to promote them. 

12. Trade and Commerce. Trade and commerce 
were still prosperous, and the remarks made in respect 
to them, under Period VII., apply to them during this 
period. 

The exports, in 1801, were ninety-three millions twenty thou- 
sand five hundred and seventy-three dollars ; the imports, one 
hundred and eleven millions, three hundred and sixtj'^-three thou- 
sand five hundred and eleven dollars. 

13. Agriculture. Agriculture still continued to 
flourish. 

14. Arts and Manufactures. The general remarks 
on the preceding period, relative to this subject, apply, 
without material alteration, to this period. 

15. Population. The number of inhabitants, at the 
close of this period, was not far from five millions five 
hundred thousand. 

16. Education. We have nothing particular to ob- 
serve in relation to education. Public and private 
schools, however, were multiplied, as the people in- 
creased, and as new settlements were made. 

In 1798, a college was founded at Lexington. Kentucky, called 



272 PERIOD VIII.— 1797 to 1801. 

the Transylvania University. Middlebury College, in Vermont, 
was founded in 1800. At the commencement of the ISth centu- 
ry, there was, in New England, but one college completely 
founded, but now there were six ; in the colonies south of Con- 
necticut, there was only one, but now there were fifteen or six- 
teen. 



UNITED STATES 



PERIOD IX, 



DISTINGUISHED FOR JEFFERSON S ADMINISTRATION. 

Extending from tlie Inauguration of President Jeff er son ^ 
ISOl, ^0 the Inauguration of James Madison, as Presi- 
dent of the United States, 1809. 

Sec. 1. On the 4th of March, 1801, Mr. Jefferson, 
agreeably to the constitution, was regularly inducted into 
the office of president of the United States. 

2. The commencement of Mr. Jefferson's administra- 
tion was marked by the removal of a great portion of 
those who held responsible and lucrative offices, on the 
ground, that they were too exclusively the friends of the 
party opposed to that, which had elevated him to office. 

3. Congress met on the 8th of December. In his 
speech at the opening of the session, the president re- 
commended the abolition of the internal taxes ; the re- 
peal of the act passed towards the close of Mr. Adams's 
administration, reorganizing the United States courts, 
and erecting sixteen new judges ; and an enlargement 
of the rights of naturalization. The debates on these 
several topics, in both houses of congress, were extend- 
ed to great length, and displayed much eloquence, argu- 
ment, and warmth. The recommendation of the presi- 
dent, notwithstanding the opposition, prevailed, and bills 
in accordance therewith were passed. 



274 PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. 

The internal taxes, from the time of their establishment, had 
been extremely unpopular with the party which had elevated 
Mr. Jefferson to the presidency. It was a favorite measure, 
therefore, of his, to procure their abolition. 

The national judicial establishment originally consisted of a 
supreme court, with six judges, who twice a year made a tour of 
the United States in three circuits. Under this arrangement, 
great inconveniences were experienced by the court, the bar, 
and the suitors. The new arrangement in the judicial system, 
and the increase of judges at the close of Mr. Adams's term, had 
excited, in a large portion of the citizens, the hope of a more 
prompt and impartial administration of justice. To that portion 
of the community, the repealing act was a painful disappoint- 
ment. 

4. In 1802, Ohio was admitted, by act of congress, 
as an independent state, into the Union. 

The state of Ohio derived its name from the river Ohio, which 
sweeps the south-eastern border of the state. 

Until 1787, it was inhabited only by Indians, a few Moravians, 
and trespassers on lands belonging to the public. By virtue of 
her charter, the territory was claimed by Virginia, and held by 
Jier, although the original charter of Connecticut, extending west 
to the Pacific ocean, included a great part of it. 

In 1781. the legislature of Virginia ceded to the United States 
all her rights to the territory north-west of the river Ohio, ex- 
cepting some few military tracts. In 1788, the first settlement 
was begun at Marietta, under Gen. Rufus Putnam, from New 
England. It had been, the year before, erected into one district, 
including the present territories of Michigan, Illinois, and In- 
diana. 

Until 1795, the settlement of Ohio was retarded by constant 
wars with the Indians. But at that time, a general peace with 
the different tribes being eifected, by Gen. Wayne, under Wash- 
ington, the population of the territory rapidly increased by emi- 
grations from Europe, and still more from New England. 

5. In July, 1804, occurred the death of Gen. Alexan- 
der Hamihon, who fell in a duel fought with Aaron Burr, 
vice-president of the United States. 

Col. Burr had addressed a letter to Gen. Hamilton, in which 
he demanded a denial or acknowledgment, on the part of the 
latter, of certain offensive expressions, contained in a public pa- 
per. Hamilton, declining to give either, was challenged by- 
Burr. Although averse, from principle, to this mode of settling 
personal controversies, in an evil moment, Hamilton, actuated 
by a false sense of honor, accepted the challenge, and, on meet- 



JEFI-ERSON S ADMlNISTRATlONv -4/t> 

ittg his enemy, fell by means of his first fire. Among his personal 
and political friends, his death caused a deep sensation. The 
people of New York city, in which he resided, paid him extra- 
ordinary honors. Few men have shone with greater brilliancy 
in our country ; few have been gifted with a more powerful elo- 
quence, or have been more justly respected for their talents oi 
attainments. 

6. Mr. Jefferson's first term of office ending this year, 
a new election took place, at which he was re-chosen 
president, and on the 4th of March again took the oath 
of office. George Clintoft, of New York, was elected! 
vice-president. 

7. During the year which commenced the second of 
Mr. Jefferson's presidency, a war, which had been con 
tinned for several years between the United States and 
Tripoli, was concluded, and a treaty of peace negotiated 
by Col. Lear, between the two countries, by which the 
Tripolitan and American prisoners were exchanged, 
and the sum of sixty thousand dollars given to the 
pacha. 

The history of this war deserves a place in these pages. The 
commerce of the United States had been long annoyed by the 
Tripolitan cruisers — many merchantmen had been taken, and 
their crevv^s imprisoned and cruelly treated. 

As early as 1803, a squadron under Com. Preble had been sent 
to the Mediterranean, to protect the American commerce, and to 
bring the corsairs to submission. During the same year, Capt. 
Bainbridge, in the Philadelphia, joined Com. Preble, and, in 
chasing a cruiser into the harbor of Tripoli, grounded his vessel; 
and he and his crew were taken prisoners. 

Shortly after the surrender of the Philadelphia, the Tripolitans 
got her afloat, and warped her into the outward harbor. In this 
situation, Lieutenant, afterwards Commodore Decatur, conceived 
the bold plan of attempting to set her on fire. He had the day 
before captured a small xebec, laden with fruit and oil, which 
was bound to Tripoli •, and having on board the Enterprise, which 
he commanded, an old pilot, who understood the Tripolitan lan- 
guage, he suggested his plan to Commodore Preble, who ap- 
proved of it. He would accept of only twenty men, although a 
much greater number volunteered, and but one officer, Mr. Mor- 
ris, a midshipman. With these men, concealed in the bottom of 
the xebec, on the approach of night, he sailed for the Philadel- 
phia, taking with him the old pilot. On approaching the frigate, 



276 ' PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. 

the xebec was hailed, when the pilot ansAvered, that he liad lost 
his cable and anchor, and begged premission to make fast to the 
frigate until the morning. This the crew refused, but said he 
might make fast to their stern hawser, until they sent a boat to 
thg admiral for leave. 

As the boat put off for the shore, Lieut. Decatur, with his brave 
companions, leaped on board the frigate, and in a few minutes 
swept the deck of every Tripolitan. Of fifty, not one reached 
the shore. The frigate was now set on fire, and while the flames 
rose, to spread consternation among the Tripolitans, they served 
to lighten the heroic Decatur and his band back in safety to the 
American squadron. Of the party, not one was killed, and but 
one wounded. This was a seaman who saved the life of his 
commander. In the first desperate struggle on board the Phila- 
delphia, Decatur was disarmed, and fell. A sabre was already 
lifted to strike the fatal blow, when this seaman, observing the 
perilous situation of his officer, reached forward and received the 
blow of the sabre on his arm. 

In consequence of the burning of the Philadelphia, the suffer- 
ings of Commodore Bainbridge and his crew, as well as those of 
other Americans in captivity at Tripoli, were greatly increased. 
The accounts of their sufferings, transmitted to the United States, 
excited the sympathy of all classes,' and a general cry for exfer 
tions to effect their deliverance was heard from all parts of the 
Union. 

It happened, that some time before this, the then reigning 
bashaw of Tripoli, Jussuf, third son of the late bashaw, had mur- 
dered his fatlier and eldest brother, and proposed to murder the 
second, in order to possess himself of the throne. But the latter, 
Hamet Caramelli, made his escape, and Jussuf, without farther 
opposition, usurped the government. 

Hamet took refuge in Egypt, where he was kindly treated by 
the beys. Here he was, on the arrival of an accredited agent of 
the United States, Gen. Eaton, who revived his almost expiring 
hopes of regaining his rightful kingdom. 

Gen. Eaton had been consul for the United States up the 
Mediterranean, and was returning home when he heard of the 
situation of Hamet. Conceiving a plan of liberating the Ameri- 
cans in captivity at Tripoli, by means of the assistance of Hamet, 
and, at the same time, of restoring this exile to his throne, he 
advised with Hamet, who readily listened to the project, and 
gave his co-operation. 

A convention was accordingly entered into between Gen. 
Eaton, oh the part of the United States, and Hamet, by which 
the latter stipulated much in favor of the Americans, and was 
promised to be restored to his throne. 

With a small force, consisting of seamen from the American 
squadron, the followers of Hamet, and some Egyptian troops, 



Jefferson's administt^ation. 277 

Gen. Eaton and Hamet, with incredible toil and suffering, passed 
the desert of Barca, and took possession of Derne, the capital of 
a large province belonging to the kingdom of Tripoli. The 
forces of Eaton were now so much increased, and the cause of 
llamet had become so popular, that the prospect was flattering of 
his being able to reduce the city of Tripoli, and of effecting the 
liberation of the captives without ransom. 

The success of Eaton struck the usurper Jussuf with terror; 
Trembling for his fate in this juncture, he proposed to Mr. Lear, 
the consul-general of America, then in the Mediterranean, to 
enter into negotiation. Mr. Lear, who was authorized to enter 
into negotiation, accepted the proposal, although he knew of the 
success of Eaton and Hamet, and a treaty ensued. Eaton and 
Hamet were consequently arrested in the prosecution of their 
purpose, and the unfortunate exile failed of his promised restora- 
tion to the throne. 

In 1805, Hamet visited the United States, with the expectation 
of obtaining some remuneration for his services from America, 
and for her failure in fulfilling her stipulations to him by Gen. 
Eaton. A proposition to this effect was brought before congress, 
but, after much discussion, was rejected. 

8. During this year, 1805, Michigan became a dis- 
tinct territorial government of the. United States. 

The Michigan territory, when first discovered by the whites, 
was inhabited by the Hiirons, a tribe of Indians, many of whom 
were converted to Christianity by the Jesuit missionaries in 1648. 
About the year 1670, the Hurons were defeated and dispersed 
by the Six Nations, about which time, the French took posses- 
sion of the territory, and built a fort at Detroit, and another at 
Michillimackinac. Little, however, was done by the French 
to settle the country. 

At the peace of 1763, the territory was ceded by the French 
to Great Britain, and by the latter to the United States in 1783. 
Until 1787, it remained in the same state of nature, without a 
government or any considerable settlements; but at this time, 
the several states which had claims upon it, ceded them to the 
United States, and a territorial government was instituted over 
all the territory north-west of the Ohio. 

This territory remained under one government until 1800, 
when the present state of Ohio was detached, and made a distinct 
government. This was followed, in 1801, by a further separation 
of Indiana and Illinois: and, in 1805, Michigan was also de- 
tached, and was erected into a distinct territorial government. 
Gen. Hull was appointed by Mr. Jefferson the first governor. 

9. In the autumn of 1806, a project was detected, at 
the head of which was Col. Burr, for revolutionizing 

24 



^78 PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. 

the territory west of the Alleganies, and of establishing 
an independent empire there, of which New Orleans 
was to be the capital, and himself the chief Towards 
the accomplishment of this scheme, which, it afterwards 
appeared, had been some time in contemplation, the 
skilful cunning and intrigue of Col. Burr were directed. 
Happily, however, government, being apprized of his 
designs, arrested him, while as yet he had few adherents, 
and before his standard was raised. He was brought to 
trial at Richmond, on a charge of treason committed 
within the district of Virginia ; but, no overt act being 
proved against him in that state, he was released. 

In addition to this project, Col. Burr had formed another, which, 
in case of failure in the first, might be carried on independently 
of it : — this was an attack on Mexico, and the establishment of 
an empire there. A third object was provided, merely ostensible, 
to wit, the settlement of the pretended purchase of a tract of 
country on the Washita, claimed by a Baron Bastrop. This was 
to serve as a pretext for all his preparations, an allurement for 
such followers as really wished to acquire settlements in that 
country, and a cover under which to retreat, in the event of a 
final discomfiture of both branches of his real designs. 

He found at once tiiat the attachment of the western couatr> 
lo the present Union was not to be shaken ; that its dissolution 
could not be effected with the consent of the inhabitants ; and 
that his resources were inadequate, as yet, to effect it by force 
He determined, therefore, to seize New Orleans, plunder the 
bank there, possess himself of the military and naval stores, and 
proceed on his expedition to Mexico. 

He collected, therefore, from all quarters, where himself or his 
agents possessed influence, all the ardent, restless, desperate, 
disaffected persons, who were for an enterprise analogous to their 
characters. He also seduced good, well-meaning citizens, some 
by assurances that he possessed the confidence of the govern- 
ment, and was acting mider its secret patronage ; and others by 
offers of land in Bastrop's claim in the Washita. 

10. 1806. To understand the subsequent political 
history of the United States, and those measures of gov- 
ernment, which were taken in relation to foreign powers, 
it is necessary to glance at the state of the European 
nations, at this period^particularly that of England and 
France. These two countries were now at war with 



JEFFERSOrf S ADMINISTRATION. 279 

each other, and in their controversies had involved most 
of the continental powers. Towards the belligerents, 
America was endeavoring to maintain a neutrality, and 
peaceably to continue a commerce with them. It was 
hardly to be expected, however, that jealousies would not 
arise, between the contending powers, in relation to the 
conduct of America, and that events would not occur, 
calculated to injure her commerce, and disturb her peace. 
In addition to these circumstances, a controversy had 
long existed, and continued to exist, between the United 
States and Great Britain, in respect to the right of 
searching lueutral ships and impressing seamen. Great 
Britain claimed it as among her prerogatives to take 
her native born subjects, wherever found, for her navy, 
and of searching American vessels for that purpose. 
As yet, no adjustment of this controversy had been ef- 
fected. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the 
American government, the officers of the British navy 
not unfrequently seized native born British subjects, who 
had voluntarily enlisted on board our vessels. They also 
impressed into the British service some thousands of 
American seamen. 

11. May 16th, 1806, the British government issued 
an order in council, declaring the ports and rivers from 
the Elbe, a river in Germany, to Brest, a town of France, 
to be in a state of blockade. By this order, American 
vessels, trading to these and intervening ports, were lia- 
ble to seizure and condemnation. 

12. In the ensuing November, 1806, Bonaparte issued 
his celebrated decree at Berlin, called the ^* Berlin decree,^* 
by which all the British islands were declared to be in 
a state of blockade, and ail intercourse with them was 
prohibited. This decree violated the treaty between the 
United States and France, and the law of nations. 

The following are the principal articles of that decree, which 
related to the obstruction of American commerce : — 

1. The British islands are in a state of blockade. 

2. All commerce and correspondence with them is prohibited. 

3. No vessel coming directly from England, oi' her colonies. 



280 PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. 

or having- been tliere since the publication of this decree, shall 
be admitted into any port. 

13. This decree of Bonaparte, at Berlin, was in part 
retaliated by the British government, in an orckr of 
council, issued January 7th, 1807, by which all coasting 
trade with France was prohibited. 

" Whereas the French government has issued certain orders, 
which purport to prohibit the commerce of all neutral nations 
with his majesty's dominions," &c. — '• his majesty is pleased to 
order, that no vessels shall be permitted to trade from one port to 
another, both which ports shall belong to, or be in possession of, 
France or her allies, or shall be so far under their control as that 
British vessels may not freely trade thereat," &c., on pain of 
capture and condemnation. 

14. While measures were thus taking by France and 
England, whose tendency was to injure American com- 
merce, and to involve her in a controversy with both, an 
event occurred, which filled the American people with 
indignation, and called for immediate executive notice. 
This was an attack upon the American frigate Chesa- 
peake, Commodore Barron, oif the capes of Virginia, 
by the British frigate Leopard, of fifty guns. The at- 
tack was occasioned by the refusal of Commodore Bar- 
ron to surrender several seamen, who had deserted fj-om 
the British armed ship Melampus, a short time previous, 
and had voluntarily enlisted on board the Chesapeake. 
After crippling the American frigate, which made no 
resistance, the commander of the Leopard took from 
her the seamen in question, two of whom had been 
proved to be American citizens. 

The persons who deserted from the Melampus, then lying in 
Hampton roads, were William Ware, Daniel Martin, John Stra- 
chan, John Little, and Ambrose Watts. Within a month from 
their escape from the Melampus, the first three of these desert- 
ers offered themselves for enlistment, and were received on 
board the Chesapeake, then at Norfolk, Virginia, preparing 
for sea. 

The British consul at Norfolk, being apprized of this circum- 
stance, wrote a letter to the American naval officer, requesting 
these men to be returned. With this request the officer refusing 



Jefferson's administration. 281 

to comply, the British agent lo&t no time in endeavoring to pro- 
cure an order from government for their surrender. In conse- 
quence of this application, the secretary of the navy ordered an 
examination into the characters and claims of the men in ques- 
tion. The required examination resulted i« proof that Ware, 
Martin, and Strachan, were natives of America. The two former 
liad ■protections, or notarial certificates of their heing American 
citizens. Strachan had no frntcction, but asserted that Le lost it 
previously to his escape. Such being the circumstances of the 
men, the government refused to surreBder them. 

On the 22d of June, the Chesapeake weiglied anchor, and 
proceeded to sea. She passed the British ships Bellona and 
Melampus. lying in Lynnhaven bay, whose appearance was 
friendly. There were two other ships that lay off Cape Henry, 
one of which, the Leopard, Capt. Humphreys, weighed anchor, 
and, in a few hours, came alongside the Chesapeake. 

A Britisli officer immediately came on board, and dejnanded 
the deserters. To this, Capt. Barron replied, that he did not 
know of any being there, and that his duty forbade him to allow 
of any muster of his crev/ except by their own officers. 

During this interview, Barron noticed some proceedings of a 
hostile nature on board the adverse ship, but he could not be per- 
suaded that any thing but menace was intended by them. Af- 
ter the British officer departed, he gave orders to clear his gun- 
deck, and after some time, he directed his men to their quarters, 
secretly, and without beat of drum ; still, however, without any 
serious apprehensions of an attack. 

Before these orders could be executed, the Leopard com- 
menced a heavy fire. This fire, unfortunately, was very destruc- 
tive. In about thirty minutes, the hull, rigging, and spars of the 
Chesapeake, were greatly damaged, three men v.'ere killed and 
sixteen wounded ; among the latter was the captain himself. 
Such was the previous disorder, that, during this time, the ut 
most exertions were insufficient to prepare the ship for action^ 
and the captain thought proper to strike his colors. 

The British captain refused to accept the surrender of the 
Chesapeake, but took from hqr crew. Ware, Martin, and Strachan, 
the three men formerly demanded as deserters, and a fourth, 
John Wilson, claimed as a runaway from a merchant ship. 

L5. Such was the agitation of the public mind, in 
consequence of this outrage committed on the Chesa- 
peake, that the president, on the 2d of July, issued his 
proclamation, ordering all British armed vessels to leave 
the waters of the United States, and forbidding them to 
enter, until satisfaction for the attack on the Chesapeake 
should be made by the British government. About the 
24* 



282 PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. 

same time, instructions were forwarded to the American 
minister in England, Mr. Monroe, to demand reparation 
for the unauthorized attack upon the Chesapeake, and, as 
an essential part of that reparation, security against future 
impressments from American ships. The British min- 
ister, Mr. Canning, however, protested against conjoin- 
ing the general question concerning the impressment of 
persons from neutral merchant ships, with the ^«r^zctt/«r 
affray between the Leopard and the Chesapeake, 

Mr. Monroe not being authorized to treat these sub- 
jects separately, further negotiation between these two 
ministers was suspended, and Mr. Rose was appoinited, 
by the British government, as a special minister to the 
United States, empowered to treat concerning the par- 
ticular injury complained of, but not to discuss the gen- 
eral question of impressing persons from merchant 
■ships. 

16. While such measures were taking in England, in 
relation to the affair of the Chesapeake, congress, which 
had been summoned by proclamation of the president,, 
met on the 27th of October. 

In his message to congress at this time, the president entered 
fully into the state of our relations with Great Britain — informed 
them of a treaty which had been negotiated with the British 
government, by Messrs. Monroe and Pinckney, but which he had 
rejected, principally because it made no sufficient provision on the 
subject of impressments — stated the affair of the attack on the 
Chesapeake — his proclamation to British armed vessels to quit the 
waters of the United States — ^his instructions to the American 
minister at London, in relation to reparation expected from the 
British government, and his expectation of speedily hearing 
from England th« result of the measures which had been taken. 

17. On the 11th of November were issued, at London, 
the celebrated British Orders in Council, retaliatory 
upon the French government for the Berlin decree of 
November, 1806. By these orders in council, France 
and her allies, all nations at war with Great Britain, and 
all places from which the British flag is excluded, were 
declared to be under the same restrictions in point of 



Jefferson's administratig^n. 283? 

trade ami navigation, a^ if the same were in a state of 
blockade. 

18. Before the arrival of Mr. Rose, congress was sed- 
ulously employed in considering the state of the nation, 
and in making provision for putting the country in a 
posture of defence. 

Acts pa^edj appropriating one million of dollars to be emplbyed 
by the president in equipping one hundred thousand of the national 
militia ; eight hundred and fifty-two thousand five hui»dred dollars 
for buiiding one hundred and eighty-eight gun-boats ; one million 
of dollars for building, repairing, and completing fortifications, 
and for raising six thousand six hundred men, infantry, riflemen, 
artillery, and dragoons, as an addition to the standing army. On 
the 22d of December, an act passed, laying an enil)argo on all 
vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States. 

19. On the 17th of December, Bonaparte, by way of 
retaliating the British orders in council, issued a decree, 
called " the Milan decree" declaring every vessel dena- 
tionalized, which shall have submitted to a search by a 
British ship ; and every vessel a good prize, which shall 
sail to or from Great Britain, or any of its colonies, or 
countries, occupied by British troops. 

20. Mr. Rose arrived in America on the 25th of De- 
cember. The American minister was soon after informed 
that he, Mr. Rose, was expressly forbidden by his gov- 
ernment to make any proposal, touching the great sub- 
ject of complaint, so long as the president's proclama- 
tion of July 2d, excluding British armed vessels from 
the waters of the United States, should be in force. 

For a time, the president refused to annul this procla- 
mation, till the atonement was not only solemnly of- 
fered, but formally accepted ; but, in order to elude this 
difficulty, he finally agreed to revoke his proclamation, 
on the day of the date of the act, or treaty, by which 
reparation should be made for the recent violence. This 
concession, however, was built on two conditions : first, 
the terms of reparation which the minister was charged 
to offer, must be previously made known ; and, sec- 
ondly, they must be such as by the president should be 
accounted satisfactory. 



284 PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. * 

But as the British minister declined to offer, or even 
to mention, the redress of which he was the bearer, till 
the American proclamation was recalled, and the presi- 
dent deeming its recall inexpedient, the controversy, for 
the present, closed. 

The controversy respecting the Chesapeake was finally adjust- 
ed in November, 1811, at which time the British minister com- 
municated to the secretary of state, that the attack on the Ches- 
apeake was .unauthorized by his majesty's government; that the 
officer, at that time in command on the American coast, had been 
recalled ; that the men taken from the Chesapeake should be re- 
stored ; and that suitable pecuniary provision should be made for 
tliose who suffered in the attack, and for the families of the sea- 
men that fell. To these propositions the president acceded. 

21. The difficulties with France and England, regard- 
ing commerce, still continuing, and the existing embargo 
having failed to coerce these powers, as was anticipated, 
into an acknowledgment of our rights, a more complete 
stop to our intercourse with them was deemed advisa- 
ble by congress. Accordingly, on the 1st of March, 
congress interdicted,- by law, all trade and intercourse 
with France and England. 

22. Mr. Jefferson's second term of office expired on 
the 3d of March. Having previously declined a re- 
election, James Madison was chosen president, and 
George Clinton vice-president. 

NOTES. 

23. Manners. The bitterness of party spirit, which 
had now raged in the United States for some years, be- 
gan to have a visible effect upon society. It interrupted, 
to no small extent, the general harmony, and even re- 
strained the intercourse of friends and neighborhoods. 
The strife for power also introduced a disposition to in- 
trigue ; political cunning became fashionable, and polit- 
ical duplicity lost much of its deformity. These things 
necessarily affected the state of manners. They with- 
drew the finger of derision, which used to point at mean- 



jEi ^l::Kfc>u^ s ai>ministuation. TiOO 

itess of all kinds, and blunted that love of honor, and 
manliness of conduct, which existed before. Cunning 
began to take the place of wisdom ; professions answered 
instead of deeds ; and duplicity stalked forth with the 
boldness of integrity. 

24. Religion. Powerful revivals of religion per- 
vaded the country, during this period, and tended 
strongly to prevent open infidelity, and to check the tide 
of pollution, which was invisibly spread over the land. 

25. Trade and Commerce. Trade and commerce 
made great advances about the year 1803. The Euro- 
pean powers being involved in war, and the United 
States remaining neutral, our vessels carried to Europe, 
not only the produce of our own country, but also the 
produce of other countries. This is usually called the 
carrying trade, and was very profitable to the country. 

In 1805,0, and 7, our average annual exports amounted to one 
hundred and two millions five hundred and sixty-seven thousand 
four hundred and fifty-fbur dollars, of which forty-four millions 
eight hundred and sixty -three thousand five hundred and seventeen 
dollars, were for domestic produce ; and fifty-seven millions seven 
hundred and one thousand nine hundred and thirty -seven dollars, 
for foreign produce. The annual average of imports during these 
three years amounted to about one hundred and forty millions of 
dollars ; a large proportion of the articles fbrming this amount, 
M^ere re-exported to the West Indies, South America, and 
elsewhere. 

After the year 1807, the commercial restrictions laid by France 
and England, began to curtail our trade ; and the embargo, im- 
posed at the close of the same year by our government, interrupt- 
ed it still more essentially. 

26. Agriculture. Agriculture, during a part of this 
period, received great encouragement from our foreign 
trade. Europe being involved in contentions, the people 
had little leisure there to cultivate the soil ; they were 
therefore supplied from other countries, and the United 
States furnished them with a great amount, and were 
thence deriving great profits, when the commercial re- 
strictions interrupted the trade. 

The first merino sheep were introduced into the country, in 
1802, by Robert R. Livingston, and, the same year, a greater 



286 PERIOD IX.— 1801 TO 1809. 

number, one hundred, by General Humphreys, then late minis- 
ter to Spain. Great attention was paid to tlie breeding of them, 
and they are now numerous in the United States. 

27. Arts and Manufactures. Arts and manufac- 
tures still progressed. 

28. Population. The population of the United 
States, at the close of Mr. Jefferson's administration^, 
was about seven millions. 

29. Education. The enlightened views respecting the 
importance of general information, entertained before, 
continued to prevail. New literary and scientific pub- 
lications were commenced ; more enlightened methods 
of instruction were adopted ; academies were multiplied ; 
colleges founded ; and theological seminaries liberally 
endowed. 

A theological seminary was founded at Andover, Massachu- 
setts, in 1808. The amount which has been contributed for its 
permanent use, and which was given by six families, is more 
than three hundred thousand dollars. This sum includes the 
permanent fund, library, and public buildings. In 1822, the of- 
ficers were four professors, and the number of st\idents, one hun- 
dred and thirty-two. The library contains about five thousand 
volumes. A majority of the students are supported, in whole oj 
in part, by charity. 



UNITED STATES 



PERIOD X. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR MADISOn's ADMINISTRATION, 
AND THE LATE WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Madi' 
son, 1809, to the Inauguration of James Monroe, as 
President of the United States, 1817. 

Sec, 1. On the 4th of March, 1809, Mr. Madison was 
indiicted into the office of president of the United 
States, according to the form prescribed by the consti- 
tution. 

The condition of the United States, on the accession of Mr. 
Madison to the presidency, was in several respects gloomy ^nd 
critical. The two great powers of Europe, France and England, 
being still at war, were continuing to array against each other 
violent commercial e<2icts, both in contraventiooa of the laws of 
nations, and of their own solemn treaties ; and calculated to in- 
jure and destroy the commerce of nations desirous of preserving 
a neutrality. America was also further suifering under th'e restric- 
tions of commerce , imposed by her own government. Every effort 
to secure the due observance of her rights, from the contending^ 
powers, had hitherto faiied, and the sad alternative was present- 
ing itself to the American people, either to suffer the evils grow- 
ing out of foreign and domestic restrictions, or to take up arms, 
and risk the consequence of a war with the belligerents. 

2. Previously to the adjournment of the last congress, 
under Mr. Jefferson, an act passed, as already noticed, 
1st of March, repealing the then existing embargo, and 
interdicting commercial intercourse with France and 



283 PERIOD X. — 1809 TO 1817. 

Great Britain. If either of these powers, however, should 
revoke its hostile edicts, the president was authorized to 
renew the intercourse, in regard to the nation so re- 
voking. 

In April, Mr. Erskine, the British ministci at Wash- 
ington, engaged, on the part of his government, that the 
orders in council, so far as they affected the United 
States, sliould be withdrav/n on the 10th of June ; and 
the president immediately issued the proclamation pre- 
scribed by law. 

This event produced the highest satisfaction through- 
out the country ; but was speedily followed by a disap- 
pointment as great. The British government denied the 
authority of Mr. Erskine to enter into any such stipula- 
tions, and refused its ratification. On learning this re- 
fusal, the president issued his proclamation, August 10th, 
renewing the non-intercourse with Great Britain. 

3. Early in September, Mr. Jpxkson arriving at Wash- 
ington, as successor of Mr. Erskine, a correspondence 
was opened between this minister and the secretary of 
state, which, after continuing several Aveeks, was sud- 
denly closed by the president, on account of an alleged 
insult on the part of Mr. Jackson. 

4. 1810. On the 23d of March, Bonaparte issued a 
decree, usually called the " Rambouillet decree," de- 
signed to retaliate the act of congress, passed March 1st, 
1809, which forbade French vessels entering the ports 
of the United States. By the above decree, ail Ameri- 
can vessels and cargoes, arriving in any of the ports of 
France, or of countries occupied by French troops, were 
ordered to be, seized and condemned. 

5. On the 1st of May, congress passed an act, ex- 
cluding British and French armed vessels from the wa- 
ters of the United States ; but, at the same time, pro- 
viding, that, in case either of the above nations should 
modify its edicts before the 3d of M-irch, 1811, so that 
they should cease to violate neutral commerce, of which 
fact the president v/as to give notice by proclamation', 



Madison's administration. 289 

and the other nation should not, within three months 
after, pursue a similar step, commercial intercourse with 
the former might be renewed, but not with the latter. 

6. In consequence of this act of the American gov- 
ernm-ent, the French minister, the Duke of Cadore, at 
Paris, informed the American minister, Mr. Armstrong, 
then in France, that the Berlin and Milan decrees were 
revoked, and that, from and after the 1st of November, 
they would cease to have effect. But, at the same time, 
it was subjoined, that it was " understood, that, in conse- 
quence of this declaration, the English shall revoke their 
orders in council," &c. About the same time, it was 
announced, that the Rambouillet decree had also been 
rescinded. 

Although the condition subjoined to the Duke of Ca- 
dore's declaration rendered it doubtful whether the Ber- 
lin and Milan decrees would in fact cease to take effect 
after the 1st of November, the president issued his proc- 
lamation on the 2d of that month, declaring that those 
decrees were revoked, and that intercourse between the 
United States and France might be renewed. 

7. While the affairs of America, in relation to the 
belligerents, were in this posture, an unhappy engage- 
ment took place, May, 1811, between the American 
frigate President, commanded by Captain Rodgers, and 
a British sloop-of-war, the Little Belt, commanded by 
Captain Bingham. The attack was commenced by the 
latter vessel, without provocation, and, in the rencontre, 
she suffered greatly in her men and rigging. 

A court of inquiry was ordered on the conduct of Capt. Rod- 
gers, which decided that it had- been satisfactorily proved to the 
court, that Capt. Rodgers hailed tlie Little Belt first — that his 
hail was not satisfactoril}'- answered — that the Little Belt fired 
the first gun — and that it was Vvdthout previous provocation, or 
iustifiable cause, &c. &c. 

8. Congress was assembled by proclamation on the 
5th of November. In his message, at the opening of 

he session, the president indicated the expectation of 



290 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

hostilities with Great Britain at no distant period, since 
her orders in council, instead of being withdrawn, were, 
when least to have been expected, put into more rigor- 
ous execution. 

9. In December, the president communicated to con* 
gress an official account of the battle of " Tippecanoe" — 
near a branch of the Wabash — fought November 7th, 
between an army under Gen. Harrison, governor of the 
Indiana Territory, and a large body of Indians, in which 
the latter were defeated. 

The attack was commenced by the Indians, about four o'clock 
in the morning, while the army of Harrison were in a measure 
unprepared. But, notwithstanding this disadvantage, after a 
hard-fought action, the Indians were repulsed with a loss of near- 
ly Seventy killed, and upwards of a hundred wounded. The loss 
of the Americans was severe, being, according to official return, 
one hundred and eighty-eight in killed and wounded. 

10. During the following year, 1812, Louisiana was 
admitted into the Union as a sovereign state. 

Until the year 1811, Louisiana comprehended that vast tract of 
country which was ceded to the United States by France, in 
1803. At that time, however, the Territory of Orleans, which 
was then a distinct territorial government, assumed the name of 
Louisiana, and was admitted, the following year, as a state, into 
the Union; since which time, the remaining portion of original 
Louisiana has received distinct denominations. 

Louisiana was first discovered in 1541, by Ferdinand de Soto. 
In 1683, Monsieur de la Salle, an enterprising Frenchman, sail- 
ed up the Mississippi a considerable distance, and named the 
country Louisiana, in honor of Louis XIV. A French settle- 
ment was begun in 1699, by M. d'Ibberville, in LoAver Louisiana, 
near the mouth of the river Perdido. The progress of the colony 
was slow. In 1713, although twenty-five hundred emigrants had 
arrived, only four hundred whites and twenty negroes were alive 

About this time, the F^^-ench government made a grant of the 
country to M. de Crozat foi a term of ten years ; but after five 
years, he relinquished his patent to the Mississippi company. In 
the same year, 1717, ihe Cny of Orleans was founded. 

By the treaty of 1763, aM Louisiana east of the Mississippi was 
ceded to England, together with Mobile, and all the possessions 
of France in that quarter. About the same time, the possessions 
of France west of ihe Mississippi were secretly ceded to Spain. 
After the cession to Great Britain, that part of the territory which 



Madison's administration. 291 

lay west of the Mississippi received the name of West Florida. 
On the breaking out of the revolutionary war, Spain, after con- 
siderable hesitation, took part with the United States, incited, 
probably, by the hope of regaining her possessions east of the 
Mississippi. In 1779, Galvoy, the governor of Louisiana, took 
possession of Baton Rouge ; and the other settlements of the 
English in Florida surrendered successively. By the treaty of 
1783, the Mississippi was made the western boundary of the Uni- 
ted States from its source to the 31st degree of latitude, and fol- 
lowing this line to the St. Mary's. By a treaty of the same date, 
the Floridas were ceded to Spain without any specific boundaries. 

This omission led to a controversy between the United States 
and Spain, which nearly terminated in hostilities. By a treaty 
with Spain, however, in 1795, boundary lines were amicably set- 
tled, and New Orleans was granted to American citizens as a 
place of deposit for their effects for three years and longer, un- 
less some other place of equal importance should be assigned. 
No other place being assigned within that time, New Orleans 
continued to be used as before. 

In 1800, a secret treaty was signed at Paris, by the plenipo- 
tentiaries of France and Spain, by which Louisiana was guar- 
antied to France, and, in 1801, the cession was actually made. 
At the same time, the Spanish intendant of Louisiana was in- 
structed to make arrangements to deliver the country to the 
French commissioners. In violation of the treaty«of Spain with 
the United States, the intendant, by his proclamation of October, 
1802, forbade American citizens any longer to deposit merchan- 
dize in the port of New Orleans. Upon receiving intelligence 
of this prohibition, great sensibility prevailed in congress, and a 
proposition was made to occupy the place by force ; but, after an 
animated discussion, the project was relinquished, and negotia- 
tions with France were commenced, by Mr. Jefferson, for the 
purchase of the whole country of Louisiana, which ended in an 
agreement to that effect, signed at Paris, April 30th, 1803, by 
which the United States were to pay to France fifteen millions 
of dollars. Early in December, 1803, the commissioners of Spain 
delivered possession to France ; and on the 20th of the same 
month, the authorities of France duly transferred the country to 
the United States, Congress had provided for this event, and 
under their act, William C. C. Claiborne was appointed governor. 
B}'' an act of March, 1804, that part of the ceded country which 
lay south of the parallel of thirty-three degrees was separated 
from the rest, and called the Territory of Orleans. In 1811, this 
district was erected into a state, and, in 1812, was admitted into 
the Union by the name of Louisiana. 

IL On the 3d of April, 1S12, congress passed an act 
laying an embargo, for ninety days, on all vessels within 



292 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

the jurisdiction of the United States, agreeably to a 
recommendation of the president. This measure, it was 
understood, was preparatory to a war with Great Britain, 
which the executive would soon urge upon congress to 
declare. 

12. On the 4th of June, 1812, a bill declaring war 
against Great Britain passed the house of representa- 
tives, by a majority of seventy-nine to forty-nine. After 
a discussion of this bill in the senate till the 17th, it pass- 
ed that body also, by a majority of nineteen to thirteen, 
and, the succeeding day, 18th,* received the signature of 
the president. 

The principal grounds of war, set forth in a message of the 
president to congress, June 1st, and further explained by the 
committee on foreign relations, in their report on the subject of 
the message, were, summarily — The impressment of American 
seamen by the British ; the blockade of her enemy's ports, sup- 
ported by no adequate force, in consequence of which, the Ameri- 
can commerce had been plundered in every sea, and the great 
staples of the country cut off from their legitimate markets ; and 
the British orders in council. 

Against the declaration of war, the representatives belonging 
to the federal party presented a solemn protest, which was written 
with distinguished ability, and which denied the war to be " neces- 
sary, or required by any moral duty, or political expediency." 

■*The following are the orders in council, French decrees, and the conse- 
quent acts of the American government, with their respective dates, present- 
ed in one view : — * 

1806, May ICth, British blockade from the Elbe to Brest. 
" Nov. 21st, Berlin decree. 

1807, Jan. 6th, British order in council, prohibiting the coasting trade. 
'= Nov. 11th, The celebrated British orders in c6uncil. 

" Dec. 17th, Milan decree. 
" Dec. 22d, American embargo. 

1809, March 1st, Non-intercourse with Great Britain and France, establish- 

ed by congress. 
" » April fOth, Mr. Erskine's negotiation, which opened the trade with 

England. 
" June 19th, Non-interconrse with Great Britain. 

1810, March 18th, Rambouillet decree. 

" May 1st, Act of congress conditionally opening the trade with Eng- 
land and France. 

*' Nov. 2d, President's proclamation, declaring the French decrees to 
be rescinded. 
3812, April 4th, American embargo. 

" June 18th, Declaration of war by the United States against Great 
Britain. 



Madison's administration. 293 

But not in congress onlj did this difference of views exist re- 
specting the war ; but it extended throughout the country, the 
friends of the administration universally commending, and its 
opposer& as extensively censuring and condemning the^ measure. 
By the former, the war was strenuously urged to be unavoidable 
and just ; by the latter, with equal decision, it was pronounced to 
be impolitic, unnecessary, and immoral. 

13. The military establishments of the United States, 
upon the declaration of war, were extremely defective. 
Acts of congress permitted the enlistment of twenty-five 
thousand men ; but few enlisted. The president was 
authorized to raise fifty thousand volunteers, and to call 
out one hundred thousand militia, for the purpose of de- 
fending the sea-coast and the frontiers. But the v/ant 
of proper officers was now felt, as the ablest revolutiona- 
ry heroes had paid the debt of nature. Such was the 
situation of things at the commencement of hostilities. 

14. On the 16th of August, Gen. Hull, governor of 
Michigan, who had been sent, at the head of about two 
thousand five hundred men, to Detroit, with a view of 
putting an end to Indian hostilities in that country, sur- 
rendered his army to the British Gen. Brock, without a 
battle, and with it the fort of Detroit, together v/ith all 
other forts and garrisons of the United States, within the 
district under his command. 

In his official despatch, Gen. Hull labored to free his conduct 
from censure, by bringing into view the inferiority of his force, 
compared with that of the enemy — his not exceeding eight hun- 
dred effective men — that of the enemy amounting to thirteen 
hundred, of whom seven hundred were Indians; — and also the 
dangers which threatened him from numerous western tribes of 
Indians, who were swarming in the neighboring woods, and who 
were ready, in case of his defeat, to rush to the indiscriminate 
daughter of the Americans. 

Whether the views which induced this surrender of Hull were 
m reality justly founded or not, the public mind was altogether 
unprepared for an occurrence so disastrous and mortifying. 

Not long after. Gen. Hull was exchanged for thirty British 
prisoners. Neither the government nor the people were satisfied 
with his excuses. The affair was solemnly investigated by a 
court-martial. He was charged with treason, cowardice, and un- 
officer-like conduct. On the first charge, the court declined giv- 
25* 



294 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

jng an opinion ; on the two last, he was sentenced to death ; but 
was recommende;d to mercy, in consequence of his revolutionary 
services, and his advanced age. The sentence was remitted by 
the president; but his name was ordered to be struck from the 
rolls of the army. 

15. On the 19th of August, three days after the un- 
fortunate surrender of Detroit, that series of splendid 
naval achievements, for which this war was distinguish- 
ed, was commenced by Capt. Isaac Hull, of the United 
States' frigate Constitution, who captured the British 
frigate Guerriere, commanded by Capt. Dacres. 

The American frigate was superior in force only by a few guns, 
but the difference bore no comparison to the disparity of tlie con- 
flict. The loss of the Constitution was seven killed, and seven 
wounded, while that on board the Guerriere was fifteen killed, 
and sixty-three wounded : among the latter was Capt. Dacres. 
The Constitution sustained so little injury, that she was ready for 
action the succeeding day ; but the British frigate was so much 
damaged, that she was set on fire and burnt. 

16. On the 13th of August, another naval victory was 
achieved — the United States' frigate Essex, Capt. Porter, 
falling in with and capturing the British sloop-of-war 
Alert, after an action of only eight minutes. 

This engagement took place off the Grand Bank of Newfound- 
Ian d. A single broadside from the American frigate so complete- 
ly riddled the sloop, that, on striking her colors, although she had 
but three men wounded, she had seven feet of water in her hold. 
The frigate suffered not the slightest injury. 

17. Upon the declaration of war, the attention of the 
American commander-in-chief, Gen. Dearborn, wai 
turned towards the invasion of Canada, for which eight 
or ten thousand men, and considerable military stores, 
were collected, at different points along the Canada line. 
Skilful officers of the navy were also despatched, for the 
purpose of arming vessels on Lakes Erie, Ontario, and 
Champlain, if possible to gain the ascendency there, and 
to aid the operations of the American forces. 

The American troops were distributed into three di- 
visions — one under Gen. Harrison, called the Nortli- 
loestern army ; a second under Gen. Stephen Van 



Madison's administration. 295 

Rensselaer, at Lewistown, called the army of the Cen' 
tre ; and a third under the commander-in-chief, Gen. 
Dearborn, in the neighborhood of Plattsburg and Green- 
bush, called the army of the North. 

18, Early on the morning of the 13th of October, 
1812, a detachment of about one thousand men, from 
the army of the centre, crossed the river Niagara, and 
attacked the British on Queenstown heights. This de- 
tachment, under the command of Col. Solomon Van 
Rensselaer, succeeded in dislodging the enemy ; but, 
not being reinforced by the militia from the American 
side, as was expected, they were ultimately repulsed, 
and were obliged to surrender. The British general. 
Brock, was killed during the engagement. 

The forces designated to storm the heights, were divided into 
two columns; one of three hundred militia, under Col. Van 
Rensselaer ; the other of three hundred regulars, under CoL 
Christie. These were to be followed by Col. Fenwick's artillery 
and afterwards the residue of the troops. 

Scarcely had Col. Van Rensselaer effected a landing, before he 
was severely wounded; upon which the troops, now under com- 
mand of Capt. Wool, advanced to storm the fort. Of this they 
gained possession ; but, at the moment of success, Gen. Brock 
arrived from Fort George, with a reinforcement of six hundred 
men. These were gallantly driven back by the Americans. In 
attempting to rally them, the heroic Brock was killed. 

Gen. Van Rensselaer, who had previously crossed over, now 
returned to hasten the embarkation of the " tardy " militia. But 
what was his chagrin, to hear more than twelve hundred men, who 
a little before were panting for the battle, refuse to embark ! He 
urged, entreated, commanded — but all in vain. Meanwhile, the 
enemy being reinforced, a desperate conflict ensued, and in the 
end the British were completely victorious. Had, however, but 
a small part of the '' idle men " passed over at the critical mo- 
ment, when urged by their brave commander, revolutionary his-, 
tory can tell of few nobler achievements than this would have 
been. 

19. On the 17th of October, another naval victory 
was achieved over an enemy decidedly superior in force, 
and under circumstances the most favorable to him. 
This was the capture of the brig Frolic, of twenty-two 
guns, by the sloop-of-war Wasp. 



29(> PERIOD X.— 1809 lo 1817. 

Capt. Jones had returned from France two weeks after the 
declaration of war, and, on the 13th of October, again put to sea. 
On the 17th, he fell in with six merchant ships, under convoy of 
a brig, and two ships, armed with sixteen guns each. The brig, 
which proved to be the Frolic, Capt. Whinyates, dropped beliind, 
while the others made sail. At half past eleven, the action be- 
gan by the enemy's cannon and musketry. In live minutes, the 
main-top-mast was shot away, and, falling down witli the main- 
top-sail yard across the larboard fore and fore-top-sail, rendered 
her head yards unmanageable, during the rest of the action. In 
two minutes more, her gafl'and mizzen top-gallant-mast were shot 
away. The sea being exceedingly rough, the muzzles of the 
Wasp's guns were sometimes under ^yater. 

The English fired as their vessel rose, so that their shot was 
either thrown away, or touched only the rigging of the Ameri- 
cans ; the Wasp, on the contrary, fired as she sunk, and every 
time struck the hull of her antagonist. The fire of the Frolic 
was soon slackened, and Capt. Jones determined to board her. 
As the crew leaped on board the enemy's vessel, their surprise 
can scarcely be imagined, as they found no person on deck, dx- 
cept three ofircers and the seaman at the wheel. The deck was 
slippery with blood, and presented a scene of havoc and ruin. 
The oificers now threw down their swords in submission, and 
Lieut. Biddle, of the Wasp, leaped into the rigging, to haul down 
the colors, which were still flying. Thus, in tbrty-three minutes, 
ended one of the most bloody conflicts recorded in naval history. 
The loss on board the Frolic was thirty killed and fifty wound- 
ed ; on board the Wasp five v/ere killed and five slightly wound- 
ed. The Wasp and Frolic were both captured the same day, by 
a British seventy-four, the Poictiers, Capt. Bercsford. 

20. The above splendid achievement of Capt. Jones 
was followed, on the 25th of October, by another not 
much less splendid and decisive, by Commodore Deca- 
tur, of the frio;ate United States, of forty-four guns, who 
captured the Macedonian off the Western Isles, a frigate 
of the largest class, mounting forty-nine guns, and man- 
ned with three hundred men. 

In this action, which continued an liour and a half, the Mace- 
donian lost thirty-six killed, and sixty-eight wounded : on board 
the United States, seven only were killed, and five wounded. 
The British frigate lost her main-mast, main-top-mast, and main- 
yard, and was injured in her hull. The United States suffered so 
little, that a return to port was unnecessary. 

An act of generosity and benevolence, on the part of our brave 
tars of this victorious frigate, deserves to be honorably recorded. 



MADIS0]:C'S ADMINISTRATION. 297 

The carpenter, who was unfortunately killed in the conflict with 
the Macedonian, had left three small children to the care of a 
worthless mother. When the circumstance became known to 
the brave seamen, they instantly made a contribution among 
themselves, to the amount of eight hundred dollars, and placed it 
in safe hands, to be appropriated to the education and maintenance 
of the unhappy orphans. 

21. December 29th, a second naval victory was 
achieved by the Constitution, at this time commanded 
by Commodore Bainbridge, over the Java, a British 
frigate of thirty-eight guns, but carrying forty-nine, with 
four hundred men, commanded by Capt. Lambert, who 
was mortally wounded. 

This action was fought off St. Salvador, and continued nearly 
two hours, when the Java struck, having lost sixty killed and 
one hundred and twenty wounded. The Constitution had nine 
men killed and twenty-five wounded. On the 1st of Januar}'^, 
the commander, finding his prize incapable of being brought in, 
was obliged to burn her. 

22. Thus ended the year 1812. With the exception 
of the naval victories already mentioned, and some others 
of the same kind, equally honorable to America, nothing 
important was achieved. Neither of the armies destined 
for the invasion of Canada had obtained any decisive 
advantage, or were in possession of any post in that ter- 
ritory. Further preparations, however, were making for 
its conquest. Naval armaments were collecting on the 
lakes, and the soldiers, in their winter-quarters, were 
looking forward to " battles fought and victories won." 

23. The military operations of the campaign of 1813 
weie considerably diversified, extending along the whole 
northern frontier of the United States. The location of 
the several divisions of the American forces was as fol- 
lows : — The army of the west, under Gen. Harrison, v;^as 
placed near the head of Lake Erie ; the arm.y of the 
centre, -under Gen. Dearborn, between the Lakes Onta- 
rio and Erie ; and the army of the north, under Gen. 
Hampton, on the shores of Lake Champlain. The 
British forces in Canada were under the general super- 
intendence of Sir George Provost, under whom Colonels 



298 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

Vroctor and Vincent had in charge the defence of the 
Upper Provinces ; while the care of the Lower Provinces 
was committed to Gen. Sheaffe. 

24. Thejliead-quarters of Gen. Harrison, on the com- 
mencement of winter, were at Franklinton, in Ohio. 
The plan of this general had for its object to concentrate 
a considerable force at the Rapids, whence he designed 
to make an attack upon Detroit, which was still in the 
possession of the British. In the mean while. Gen. 
Winchester continued at Fort Defiance, with about eight 
hundred men, chiefly from the most respectable families 
in Kentucky. Early in January, intimations were re- 
ceived from the inhabitants of the village of Frenchtown, 
which is situated on the river Raisin, twenty-six miles 
from Detroit, that a large body of British and Indians 
were about to concentrate at that place. Exposed as 
they must be from the presence of a ferocious enemy, 
they sought protection from the American general. Con- 
trary to the general plan of the commander-in-chief, 
Winchester resolved to send a force to their relief, and 
accordingly detached a body of men, with orders to wait 
at Presque Isle, until joined by the main body. 

On reaching the latter place, it was ascertained that 
a party of British and Indians had already taken pos- 
session of Frenchtown. The resolution was immediate- 
ly taken to attack them, without waiting for the arrival 
of Winchester. In this attack the Americans were suc- 
cessful, and, having driven the enemy from the place, 
they encamped on the spot, where they remained uptil 
the twentieth, when they were joined by Gen. Winches- 
ter. The American force now exceeded -750 men. 
Here, on the morning of January 2*2d, the Americans 
were suddenly attacked by a combined force of British 
and Indians, under Gen. Proctor. Unfortunately, the 
Americans were signally routed — many of them were 
killed, and not far from five hundred were taken prison- 
ers, among whom was Gen. Winchester. After the sur- 
render, nearly all the American prisoners were inhumanly 



Madison's administration. 299 

butcnered by the savages, although Proctor had pledged 
his honor, that their lives and private property should 
be secure. 

Scarcely had the Americans surrendered, than, contrary to ex- 
press stipulations, the swords of the officers were taken from them, 
and many of them were stripped almost naked, and robbed. The 
dead also were stripped and scalped, while the tomahawk put 
an end at once to such of the wounded as were unable to rise. 
The prisoners who now remained, with but few exceptions, in- 
stead of being guarded by British soldiers, were delivered to the 
charge of the Indians, to be conducted in the rear of the army 
to Maiden. But few of them, however, ever reached the British 
garrison, being either inhumanly murdered by the Indians at 
the time, or reserved to be roasted at the stake, or to be ransom- 
ed at an exorbitant charge. 

By this bloody tragedy, all Kentucky, observes an historian," 
was literally in mourning ; for the soldiers thus massacred, tor- 
tured, burnt, or denied the common rites of sepulture, were of the 
most respectable families of the state ; many of them yoaing 
men of fortune and property, with numerous friends and rela- 
tives. The remains of these brave youth lay on the ground, beat 
by the storms of heaven, and exposed to the beasts of the forest, 
until the ensuing autumn, when their friends and relations ven- 
tured to gather up their bleaching bones, and consigned them to 
the tomb. 

Historians do not agree as to the number of American troops. 
Dr. Holmes states the number at 1100. The force of Proctor 
consisted, according to this author, of 300 British troops, and 
600 Indians. 

25. On the 23d of January, the day following the 
memorable action of Frenchtown, an engagement took 
place between the Hornet, Capt. James Lawrence, and 
the British sloop-of-war Peacock, Capt. William Peake, 
off South America. This action lasted but fifteen min 
utes, when the Peacock struck. 

On surrendering, a signal of distress was discovered on board 
the Peacock. She had been so much damaged, that, already, 
she had six feet of water in her hold, and was sinking fast. Boats 
were immediately despatched for the wounded, and every meas- 
ure taken, which was practicable, to keep her afloat until the 
crew could be removed. Her guns were thrown overboard, the 
shot-holes were plugged, and a part of the Hornet's crev/, at the 

* Brackenridge. 



300 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1S17. 

imminent hazard of their lives, labored incessantly to rescue the 
vanquished. The utmost efforts of these generous men were, 
however, vain ; the conquered vessel sunk in the midst of them, 
carrying dov.-n nine of her own crew and three of the Americans. 
With a generosity becoming them, the crew of the Hornet divid- 
ed their clothing with the prisoners, who were left destitute by 
the sinking ship. In the action, the Hornet received but a slight 
injury. The killed and wounded, on board the Peacock, were 
supposed to exceed fifty. 

26. On the 4th of March, 1813, Mr. Madison entered 
upon his second term of office, as president of the United 
States, having been re-elected by a considerable majori- 
ty over De Witt Clinton, of New York, who was sup- 
ported by the federal electors. George Clinton was 
elected vice-president : he died, however, soon after, 
and Elbridge Gerry succeeded him. 

27. It having been communicated to the Americ^an 
government, that the emperor of Russia was desirous of 
seeing an end put to the hostilities between Great Britain 
and America, and had offered to mediate between 
the two countries, Messrs. Albert Gallatin, James A. 
Bayard, and John Quincy Adaiiis, were, early in the 
spring, 1813, appointed commissioners to Russia, to 
meet such commissioners as should be sent by the Brit- 
ish court, and were empowered to negotiate a treaty of 
peace and commerce with Great Britain. 

28. About the middle of April, Gen. Pike, by order 
of Gen. Dearborn, embarked, with 1700 men, on board 
a flotilla, under command of Commodore Chauncey, 
from Sacket's Harbor, for the purpose of attacking York, 
the capital of Upper Canada, the great depository of 
British military stores, whence the western posts were 
supplied. On the 27th, an attack was successfully made, 
and York fell into the hands of the Americans, with all 
its stores. 

The command of the troops, one thousand seven hundred, de- 
tached for this purpose, was given to Gen. Pike, at his own re- 
quest. On the 25th, the fleet, under Commodore Chauncey, 
moved down the lake, with the troops, and, on the 27th, ar- 
rived at the place of debarkation, about two miles westward 



Madison's administration. 301 

» 

from York, and one and a half from the enemy's works. The 
British, consisting of about seven hundred and fifty regulars 
and five hundred Indians, under General Sheaffe, attempted to 
oppose the landing, but were thrown into disorder, and fled to 
their garrison. 

General Pike, having formed his men, proceeded towards the 
enemy's fortifications. On their near approach to the barracks, 
about sixty rods from the garrison, an explosion of a magazine 
took place, previously prepared for the purpose, which killed 
about one hundred of the Americans, anlong whom was the gal- 
lant Pike. 

Pike lived to direct his troops, for a moment thrown into dis- 
jrder, " to move on." This they now did under Col. Pearce ; 
and, proceeding towards the town, took possession of the bar- 
racks. On approaching it, they were met by the officers of the 
Canada militia, with offers of capitulation. At four o'clock, the 
troops entered the town. 

The loss of the British, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 
amounted to seven hundred and fifty ; the Americans lost, in 
jkilled and wounded, about three hundred. 

29. The news of the unfortunate occurrence at French- 
town (Sec. 24.) reached Gen. Harrison, while on his 
march with reinforcements to Gen. Winchester. Find- 
ing a further advance of no importance, he took post 
at the Rapids, where he constructed a fort, Avhich, in 
honor of the governor of Ohio, he named Fort Meigs. 
Here, on the first of May, he v/as besieged by Gen. 
Proctor, with a force of one thousand regulars and 
militia, and one thousand two hundred Indians. For 
nine days, the siege was urged with great zeal ; but, 
finding the capture of the place impracticable, on the 
9th, Proctor raised the siege, and retreated to Maiden. 
Gen. Harrison returned to Franklinton, in Ohio, leaving 
the fort under the care of Gen. Clay. 

On the third day of the siege, an officer from the British de- 
manded the surrender of the fort ; to which Harrison character- 
istically replied, '^ Not, sir, while I have the honor to command." 

On the fifth, intelligence was received of the approach of a 
reinforcement of American troops under Gen. Clay, from Ken- 
tucky. Aided by these, a sortie was made upon the British, 
which proved so disastrous to both, that, for the three following 
days, hostilities were suspended, and prisoners exchanged. On 
the ninth, preparations were made to renew the siege ; but, sud 

26 



302 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

denly, the British general ordered it to be raised, and with hia 
whole force retired. 

30. During the remainder of the spring, the war con- 
tinued along the Canada line, and on some parts of the 
sea-board ; but nothing important was achieved by either 
power. 

The Chesapeake Bay was blockaded by the British, and pred- 
atory excursions, by their troops, were made at Havre de Grace, 
Georgetown, &c. Several villages were burnt, and much prop- 
erty plundered and destroyed. To the north of the Chesapeake, 
the coast was not exempt from the effects of the w^ar. A strict 
blockade was kept up at New York. The American frigates 
United States and Macedonian, and the sloop Hornet, attempted 
to sail on a cruise from that port, about the beginning of May, 
but were prevented. In another attempt, they were chased into 
New London harbor, where they were blockaded by a fleet un- 
der Commodore Hardy, for many months. Fort George, in 
Canada, was taken by the Americans. Sacket's Harbor was 
attacked by one thousand British, who were repulsed with con- 
siderable loss. 

31. On the first of June, the American navy expe- 
rienced no inconsiderable loss, in the capture of the 
Chesapeake, by the British frigate Shannon, off Boston 
harbor — a loss the more severely felt, as on board of her 
fell several brave officers, among whom was her com 
mander, the distinguished and lamented Capt. Lawrence. 

Capt. Lawrence had been but recently promoted to the com- 
mand of the Chesapeake. On his arrival at Boston, to take 
charge of her, he was informed that a British frigate was lying 
off the harbor, apparently inviting an attack. Prompted by the 
ardor which pervaded the service, he resolved to meet the enemy, 
without sufficiently examining his strength. With a crew chiefly 
enlisted for the occasion, as that of the Chesapeake had mostly 
been discharged, on the first of June, he sailed out of the harbor. 

The Shannon, observing the Chesapeake put to sea, imme- 
diately followed. At half past five, the two ships engaged. By 
the first broadside, the sailing-master of the Chesapeake wag 
killed, and Lieut. Ballard mortally wounded. Lieut. Brown and 
Capt. Lawrence were severely wounded ' the same time. A 
second and third broadside, besides addiriir to the destruction of 
her officers, so disabled the Chesapeake in her rigging, that her 
quarter fell on the Shannon's anchor. This" accident may be 
considered as deciding the contest ; an opportunity was given 
the enemy to rake the Chesapeake, and, toward the close of the 



Madison's administration. 303 

action, to board her. Capt. Lawrence, though severely wounded, 
still kept the deck. In the act of summoning the boarders, a mus- 
ket ball entered his body, and brought him down. As he was 
carried below, he issued a last heroic order — " Don't give up the 
ship ;" but it was too late to retrieve what was lost; the British 
boarders leaped into the vessel, and, after a short but bloody strug- 
gle, hoisted the British flag. 

In this sanguinary conflict, twenty-three of the enemy were 
killed, and fifty wounded : on board the Chesapeake, about sev- 
enty were killed, and eighty-three wounded. 

32. The tide of fortune seemed now, for a short time, 
to turn in favor of Great Britain. On the 14th of August, 
the Argus, of eighteen guns, another of our national 
vessels, was captured by the Pelican, of twenty guns! 

The Argus had been employed to carry out Mr. Crawford, as 
minister, to France. After landing him, she proceeded to cruise 
in the British channel, and, for two months, greatly annoyed the 
British shipping. At length, that government was induced to 
send several vessels in pursuit of her. On the 14th of August, 
the Pelican, a sloop of war, of superior force, discovered her, and 
bore down to action. At the first broadside, Capt. Allen fell, 
severely wounded, but remained on deck for some time, when 
it was necessary to carry him below. After a hard-fought action, 
the Argus was obliged to surrender, with a loss of six killed and 
seventeen wounded. On board the Pelican there were but three 
killed and five wounded. Captain Allen died soon after in Eng- 
land, and was interred with the honors of war. 

33. After the loss of the Chesapeake and Argus, vic- 
tory again returned to the side of America. On the e5th 
of September following, the British brig Boxer surren- 
dered to the Enterprise, after an engagement of little 
more than half an hour. 

The Enterprise sailed from Portsmouth on the 1st, and was on 
the 5th descried by the Boxer, which immediately gave chase. 
After the action had continued for fifteen minutes, the Enter- 
prise ranged ahead, and raked her enemy so powerfully, that in 
twenty minutes the firing ceased, and the cry of quarter was 
heard. The Enterprise had one killed and thirteen wounded ; 
but that one was her lamented commander, Lieut. Burrows. He 
fell at the commencement of the action, but continued to cheer 
his crew, averring that the flag should never be struck. When 
the sword of the enemy was presented to him, he exclaimed, '•' I 
die contented." The British loss was more considerable. Among 
their killed was Capt. Blythe. These two commanders, both in 



304 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

the rnorning of life, were interred beside each other, at Portland, 
with military honors. 

34. During these occurrences on the sea-board, im- 
portant preparations had been made for decisive meas- 
ures to the westward, and the general attention was now 
turned, with great anxiety, towards the movements of 
the north-western army, and the fleet under command 
of Commodore Perry, on Lake Erie. 

This anxiety, not long after, was, in a measure, dis- 
pelled, by a decisive victory of the American fleet over 
that of the British, on Lake Erie, achieved, after along 
and desperate conflict, on the 10th of September. 

The American squadron consisted of nine vessels, carrying 
fifty-four guns ; that of the British, of six vessels, and sixty -three 
guns. The line of battle was formed at eleven, and at a quarter 
before twelve, the enemy's flag ship, Queen Charlotte, opened a 
tremendous fire upon the Lawrence, the flag ship of Commo- 
dore Perry, which was sustained by the latter ten minutes before 
she could bring her carronades to bear. At length she bore up 
and engaged the enemy, mkaing signals to the remainder of 
the squadron to hasten to her support. Unfortunately, the wind 
was too light to admit of a compliance with the order, and she 
was compelled to contend, for two hours, Avith two ships of equal 
fofce. By this time, the brig had become unmanageable, and 
her crew, excepting four or five, were either killed or wounded. 

While thus surrounded with death, and destruction still pour- 
ing in upon him. Perry left the brig, now only a wreck, in an 
open boat, and, heroically waving his sword, passed unhurt to the 
Niagara, of twenty guns. The wind now rose. Ordering every 
canvass to be spread, he bore down upon the enemy — passing the 
enemy's vessels Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Prevost, on 
the one side, and the Chippewa and Little Belt on the other, 
into each of which he poured a broadside, — he at length en- 
gaged the Lady Prevost, which received so heavy a fire as to com- 
pel her men to retire below. 

The remainder of the American squadron, now, one after 
another, arrived, and, following the example of their intrepid 
leader, closed in with the enemy, and the battle became general. 

Three hours finished the contest, and enabled Perry to an- 
nounce to Gen. Harrison the capture of the whole squadron, 
which he did in this modest, laconic, and emphatic st3'le : — "■ We 
have met the enemy, and they are ours." 

The loss in the contest was great in proportion to the numbers 
engaged. The Americans had twenty-seven killed and ninety- 



Madison's administration. 305 

six wounded. But the British loss was still greater, being about 
two hundred in killed and wounded. The prisoners amounted 
to six hundred, exceeding the whole number of Americans en- 
gaged in the action. 

35. The Americans being now masters of Lake Erie, 
a passage to the territory which had been surrendered 
by Gen. Hull was open to them. With a view of making 
a descent upon Maiden and Detroit, Gen. Harrison 
called on a portion of the Ohio militia, which, together 
with 4000 Kentuckians, under Gov. Shelby, and his 
own regular troops, constituted his force, for the above 
object. 

On the 27th of September, the troops were received on board 
the fleet, and on the same day reached Maiden. But, to their 
surprise, they found that fortress and the public storehouses 
burned. 

On the following day, the Americans marched in pursuit of 
Proctor and his troops; and on the 29th entered, and took posses- 
sion of Detroit. 

Leaving Detroit on the second of October, Harrison and Shel- 
by proceeded with 3500 men, selected for the purpose, and, on 
the fifth, reached the place of Proctor's encampment, which was 
the Moravian village, on the Thames, about eighty miles from 
Detroit. The American troops were immediately formed in the 
order of battle, and the armies engaged with the most determined 
courage. In this contest, the celebrated Tecumseh was slain. 
Upon his fall, the Indians immediately fled. This led to the de- 
feat of the whole British force, which surrendered, except about 
two hundred dragoons, which, with Proctor at their head, were 
enabled to escape. 

Of the British, nineteen regulars were killed, fifty wounded, 
and six hundred made prisoners. The Indians left one hundred 
and twenty on the field. The loss of the Americans was up- 
wards of fifty, in killed and wounded. On this field of battle, 
the latter had the pleasure to retake six brass field pieces, which 
had been surrendered by Hull ; on two of which were inscribed 
the words, '' Surrendered by Burgoyne, at Saratoga." 

Tecumseh-, who fell in this battle, was in several respects the 
most celebrated Indian warrior which ever raised an arm against 
the Americans. " He had been in almost every engagement 
with the whites, since Harmer's defeat, although at his death he 
scarcely exceeded forty years of age. Tecumseh had received 
the stamp of greatness from the hand of nature ; and had his lot 
been cast in a different state of society, he would have shone 
one of the most distinguished of men. He was endowed with 
36* 



30C PERIOD X.— IS09 TO 1817. 

a powerful mind, with the soul of a hero. There was an uncom- 
mon dignity in his countenance and manners ; by the former, 
he could easily be discovered, even after death, among the rest 
of the slain, for he Avore no insignia of distinction. When gird- 
ed with a silk sash, and told by Gen. Proctor that he was made 
a brigadier in the British service, for his conduct at Brownstown 
and Magagua, he returned the present with respectful contempt. 
Born with no title to command, but his native greatness, every 
tribe yielded submission to him at once, and no one ever disput- 
ed his precedence. Subtle and fierce in war, he was possessed 
of uncommon eloquence : his speeches might bear a comparison 
with those of the most celebrated orators of Greece and Rome. 
His invective was terrible, as may be seen in the reproaches 
which he applied to Proctor, a few days before his death, in a 
speech which was found among the papers of tlie British officers. 
His form was uncommonly elegant ; his stature about six feet, 
his limbs perfectly proportioned. He was honorably interred by 
the victors, by whom he was held in much respect, as an invet- 
erate, but magnanimous enemy."* 

36. The fall of Detroit put an end to -the Indian war 
in that quarter, and gave security to the frontiers. Gen. 
Harrison now dismissed a greater part of his volunteers, 
and, having stationed Gen. Cass at Detroit, with about 
one thousand men, proceeded, according to his instruc- 
tions, with the remainder of his forces, to Buffalo, to 
join the afmy of the centre. 

37. The result of the operations of the north-west, 
and the victory on Lake Erie, prepared the way to at- 
tempt a more effectual invasion of Canada. 

Gen. Dearborn having some time before this retired 
from the service, Gen. Wilkinson was appointed to suc- 
ceed him as commander-in-chief, and arrived at Sacket's 
Harbor on the 20th of August. The chief object of 
his instructions was the capture of Kingston, although 
the reduction of Canada, by an attack upon Montreal, 
was the ulterior object of the campaign. 

The forces destined for the accomplishment of these 
purposes were an army of five thousand, at Fort George; 
two thousand under Gen. Lewis, at Sacket's Harbor ; 
four thousand at Plattsburg, under the command of Gen. 

* Brackeiiridge. 






Madison's administration 307 

Hampton, which latter, proceeding by the way of Cham- 
plain, were to form a junction with the main body, at 
some place on the river St. Lawrence ; and, finally, the 
victorious troops of Gen. Harrison, which were expected 
to arrive in season to furnish important assistance. 

On the fifth of September, Gen. Armstrong, who had 
recently been appointed secretary of war, arrived at 
Sacket's Harbor, to aid in the above project. The plan 
of attackinsf Kinsfston was now abandoned, and it was 
determined to proceed immediately to Montreal. Un- 
expected difficulties, however, occurred, which prevent- 
ed the execution of the plan, and the American force 
under Wilkinson retired into winter quarters, at French 
Mills. The forces of Gen. Hampton, after penetrating 
the country some distance to join Wilkinson, retired 
again to Plattsburg. The forces of Gen. Harrison were 
not ready to join the expedition, until the troops had 
gone into winter quarters. 

The forces of Gen. Wilkinson were concentrated, previous to 
embarkation, at Grenadier Island, between Sacket's Harbor and 
Kingston, 180 miles from Montreal, reckoned by the river. 
Owing to tempestuous weather, the fleet was detained some days 
after the troops were on board ; but finally set sail on the 30th. 

Unexpected obstacles impeded the progress of the expedition, 
especially parties of the enemy, which had been stationed at 
ev^ry convenient position on the Canada shore. To disperse 
these, a body of troops, under command of Gen. Brown, was 
landed, and directed to march in advance of the boats. 

On the 11th, the troops and flotilla having arrived at Williams- 
burg, just as they were about to proceed, a powerful bod}'^ of the 
enemy, 2000 in number, was discovered approaching in the 
rear. Wilkinson, being too much indisposed to take the com- 
mand, appointed Gen. Boyd to attack them, in which his Iroops 
were assisted by the brigades of Generals Covington and 
Swartwout. 

For three hours, the action was bravely sustained by the op- 
posing forces. Both parties, in the issue, claimed the victory ; 
but neither could, in truth, be said to be entitled to it — the Brit- 
ish returning to. their encampment, and the Americans to their^ 
boats. In this engagement, the loss of the latter was 339, of 
whom 102 were killed. Gen. Covington was mortally woundea, 
and died two days after. The British loss was 180. 



808 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

A few days previous to the battle, as Gen. Harrison had not 

arrived, Wilkinson despatched orders to Gen. Hampton to meet 
him, with his army, at St. Regis. On the 12th, a communication 
was returned from Hampton, in which he declined a compliance 
with the above orders, on the ground, that the provisions of Wil- 
kinson were not adequate to the wants of both armies, and that 
it would be impossible to transport provisions from Plattsburg. 

On the receipt of this intelligence, a council of war was sum- 
moned by Wilkinson, by which it was decided to abandon the 
attack on Montreal, and to go into winter quarters at French Mills. 

Shortly after, Gen. Hampton, learning that the contemplated 
expedition against Montreal was abandoned, himself paused in 
his advance towards Montreal, by the way of Chateaugay, and 
returned to Plattsburg, where he established his winter quarters. 
Soon after, his health failing, he resigned his commission, and 
was succeeded in command by Gen. Izard. 

Thus ended a campaign, which gave rise to a dissat- 
isfaction proportioned to the high expectations that had 
been indulged of its success. Public opinion was much 
divided as to the causes of its failure, and as to the par- 
ties to whom the blame was properly to be attached. 

38. The proposal of the emperor of Russia to medi 
ate between the United States and Great Britain, has 
been mentioned, {Sec. 27.) This proposal, however, 
Great Britain thought expedient to decline ; but the 
prince regent offered a direct negotiation, either at Lon- 
don or Gottenburg. The oifer was no sooner commu- 
nicated to our government, than accepted, and Messrs. 
Henry Clay and Jonathan Russel were appointed, in 
addition to the commissioners already in Europe, and 
soon after sailed for Gottenburg. Lord Gambier, Henry 
Goulbourn, and William Adams, were appointed, on the 
part of the court of St. James, to meet them. The place 
of their meeting was first fixed at Gottenburg, but sub- 
sequently was changed to Ghent, in Flanders, where the 
commissioners assembled in August. 

39. Soon after the northern armies had gone into 
winter quarters, as noticed above, the public attention 
was directed to a war which the Creek Indians, being 
instigated thereto by the British government, declared 
against the United States, and which proved exceeding- 



Madison's ADMINISTRATION. 309 

ly sanguinary in its progress, during the year 1813, and 
until the close of the summer of 1814, when Gen. Jackson, 
who conducted it, on the part of the Americans, having, 
in several rencounters, much reduced them, and finally 
and signally defeated them, in the battle of Tohopeka, 
or Horse-Shoe-Bend, concluded a treaty with them, 
August 9th, on conditions advantageous to the United 
States. Having accomplished this service, Gen, Jack- 
son returned to Tennessee, and was soon after appointed 
to succeed Gen. Wilkinson in the. command of the forces 
at New Orleans. 

The commencement of hostilities by the Creeks was an attack 
upon Fort Mimms, on the 30th of August, 1813, by six hundred 
Indians, who, taking the fort by surprise, massacred three hun- 
dred men, women, and children, excepting seventeen, who alone 
effected their escape. 

On the receipt of this disastrous intelligence, two thousand 
men from Tennessee, under Gen. Jackson, and 500 under Gen. 
Coffee, immediately marched to the country of the Creeks. In 
a series of engagements, first at Tallushatches, next a:t Talladega, 
and subsequently at Autossee, Emucfau, and other places, the 
Creeks were defeated, though with no inconsiderable loss, in 
several instances, to the Americans. 

But notwithstanding these repeated defeats and serious losses, 
the Creeks remained unsubdued. Still determined not to yield, 
they commenced fortifying the bend of Tallapoosa river, called 
by them Tohopeka, but by the Americans Horse-Shoe-Bend. 
Their principal work consisted of a breast-work, from five to eight 
feet high, across the peninsula, by means of which nearly one 
hundred acres of land were rendered admirably secure. Through 
this breast- work a double row of port-holes were so artfully ar- 
ranged, that whoever assailed it must be exposed to a double and 
cross fire from the Indians, who lay behind, to the number of one 
thousand. 

Against this fortified refuge of the infatuated Creeks, Gen. 
Jackson, having gathered up his forces, proceeded on the 24th of 
March. On the night of the 26th, he encamped within six miles 
of the bend. On the 27th, he detached Gen. Coffee, with a com- 
petent number of men, to pass the river, at a ford three miles be- 
low the bend, for the purpose of preventing the Indians effecting 
their escape, if inclined, by crossing the river. 

With the remainder of his force, Gen. Jackson now advanced 
to the front oi the breast-work, and, at half past ten, planted his 
artillery on a small eminence, at only a moderate distance. 

Affairs being now arranged, the artillery opened a tremendous 



310 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1S17. 

fire upon the breast-work, Avhile Gen. Coffee, with his force be- 
low, continued to advance towards an Indian village, which stood 
at the extremity of the peninsula. A well-directed fire across the 
river, which here is but about one hundred jrards wide, drove the 
Indian inhabitants from their houses up to the fortifications. 

At length, finding all his arrangements complete, and the favor- 
ite moment arrived, Gen. Jackson led on his now animated troops 
to the charge. For a short time, an obstinate contest was main- 
tained at the breast-work — muzzle to muzzle through the port- 
holes — when the Americans succeeded in gaining the opposite 
side of the works. A mournful scene of slaughter ensued. In 
a short time, the Indians were routed, and the whole plain was 
strewed with the dead. Five hundred and fiflj^-seven were found, 
and a large number were drowned in attempting to escape by the 
river. Tliree hundred women and children were taken prisoners. 
The loss of the Americans was twenty-six killed, and one hun- 
dred and seven wounded. Eighteen friendly Cherokees were 
killed, and thirty-six wounded, and five friendly Creeks were 
killed, and eleven wounded. 

This signal defeat of the Creeks put an end to the v/ar. Short- 
ly after, the remnant of the nation sent in their submission 
Among these was the prophet and leader, Weatherford. In bold 
and impressive language, he said — " I am in your power. Do 
with me what you please. I have done the white people all the 
harm I could. I have fought them, and fought them bravely. 
There was a time when I had a choice ; I have none now — even 
hope is ended. Once I could animate my warriors ; but I cannot 
animate the dead. They can no longer hear my voice ; their 
Dones are at Tallushatches, Talladega, Emucfau, and Tohopeka. 
While there was a chance of success, I never supplicated ]>eace ; 
but my people are gone, and I now ask it for my nation and my- 
self" 

On the 9th of August, a treaty was made with them by Gen. 
Jackson. They agreed to yield a portion of their territory as in- 
demnity for the expenses of the war — to allow the opening of 
roads through their lands — to admit the whites to the free navi- 
gation of their rivers — and to take no more bribes from the 
British. 

40. On the 2d of December, the fifteenth congress 
commenced its second session. The principal objects 
to which its attention was directed were the enactment 
of restriction laws, (embargo and non-importation acts) 
— the subsequent repeal of these act.s — the^ofFer of the 
unprecedented bounty of one Imndred and twenty-four 
dollars to all soldiers who should enlist for five years or 



MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. 311 

during the war — and an appropriation of half a million 
of 4ollars to construct one or more floating steam bat- 
teries. 

An extra session of congress had been held, extending from 
May 24th to August 2d, the same year. Tlie principal business 
of this session was the providing of means to replenish the treasu- 
ry. This it was at length decided to accomplish by a system of 
internal duties ; and accordingly laws were passed laying taxes 
on lands, houses, distilled liquors, refined sugars, retailers' li- 
censes, carriages. &c. From this source the sum of five millions 
and a half of dollars was expected to flow into the treasury ; in 
addition to which, a loan of seven millions and a half was au- 
thorized. 

Early in the regular session of 1813 — 1814, an embargo was laid 
upon all American vessels, with a design to deprive the enemy's 
ships on the coast of supplies, and to secure more effectually 
the American shipping from introducing British manufactures. 
Against such measures the opposers of the war were loud in their 
complaints, on the ground that they were needless, and highly 
injurious to the prosperity of the country. Although these acts 
passed, in the month of April following, owing to important 
changes in the relative state of the belligerent nations of Europe, 
they were repealed. 

41. The spring of 1814 was distinguished for the loss 
of the American frigate Essex, Commodore David Por 
ter, which was captured on the 28th of March, in tho 
bay of Valparaiso, South America, by a superior British 
force. 

42. Two other naval engagements took place about 
this time, both of which resulted in favor of the Ameri- 
can flag. The first of these was between the United 
States' sloop of war Peacock and the British brig Eper- 
vier, April 29th ; and the second, June 28th, between 
the sloop Wasp and the English brig Reindeer. Pre- 
viously to the action with the Reindeer, the Wasp cap- 
tured seven of the enemy's merchantmen. 

The action between the first two mentioned vessels lasted but 
forty-five minutes. During its continuanoe, the Epervier had 
eight men killed, and fifteen wounded. The Peacock escaped 
with but a single man killed, and with only two wounded. This 
engagement took place in lat. 27° 47' ijorth, and long. 30° 9'. 

The action between the Wasp and Reindeer was but eighteen 



312 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

minutes ; yet the destruction of life was much greater. The lat- 
ter vessel lost her commander, Capt. Manners, and twenty-seven 
men killed, and forty-two wounded. Twice the British attempt- 
ed to board the Wasp, but were as often repulsed. At length, the 
American tars boarded the Reindeer, and tore down her colors. 
The loss of the latter, in killed and wounded, was twenty-six. 
Their prize was so much injured, that, on the following day, she 
was burned. 

43. Gen. Wilkinson continued encamped with his 
army at French Mills, (Sec. 37,) whither he had retired 
in November, 1813, until February, 1814, when, by or- 
der of the secretary of war, he detached 2000 troops, 
under Gen. Brown, to protect the Niagara frontier; 
soon after which, destroying his barracks, he retired with 
ihe residue of his forces to Plattsburg. 

The British, apprized of this movement, detached a large force, 
under Col. Scott, which destroyed the public stores, with the 
arsenal of the Americans, at Malone, which had belonged to the 
cantonment of French Mills; but, on hearing of the approach of 
a large American force, they hastily retreated. 

44. The movements of Gen. Wilkinson indicating a 
disposition to attempt the invasion of Canada, a detach- 
ment of two thousand British, under Major Hancock, was 
ordered to take post and fortify themselves at La Colle 
Mill, near the river Sorel, to defeat the above object. 
With a view of dislodging this party, Wilkinson, at the 
head of 4000 men, crossed the Canada lines, on the 30th 
of March. On the following day, he commenced a can- 
nonade upon the works of the enemy ; but finding it im- 
practicable to make an impression on this strong build- 
ing, he retired with his forces, having lost in the affray 
upwards of 140 in killed and wounded. 

The unfortunate issue of this movement, and the equally un- 
fortunate termination of the last campaign, brought Gen. Wil- 
kinson into such discredit with the American public, that, yield- 
ing to the general opinion, the administration suspended him 
from the command, in which he was succeeded by Gen. Izard. 
At a subsequent day, Wilkinson v/as tried before a cour^ mar- 
tial at Troy, by which hg was acquitted, but not without hesi- 
tation. 



MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. 313 

45. For three months following the above movement, 
the armies of both nations continued inactive. On the 
part of the British, the war seemed to languish, the na- 
tion at home being occupied with events which were 
transpiring in Europe of a most extraordinary character. 
But when, at length, the emperor of France had abdi- 
cated his empire, and Louis XVIII. was seated upon his 
legitimate throne, England was at liberty to direct against 
America the immense force which she had employed in 
her continental wars. Accordingly, at this time, the 
British forces were augmented by 14,000 veteran troops, 
which had fought under Wellington ; and, at the same 
time, a strong naval force was despatched to blockade 
the American coast, and ravage our maritime towns. 

46. It has been alr-eady noticed, that Gen. Brown was 
detached by Wilkinson, with 2000 troops, from French 
Mills, (Sec. 43,) to proceed to the Niagara frontier. For 
a time, he stopped at Sacket's Harbor; but, at length, 
proceeded with his army to Buffalo. By the addition of 
Towson's artillery, and a corps of volunteers, his force 
was augmented to 3500 effective men. 

On the 2d and 3d of July, he crossed the river Ni- 
agara, and took possession of the British Fort Erie, which 
surrendered without resistance. At a few miles distant, 
in a strong position, at Chippewa, was intrenched an 
equal number of British troops, under command of Gen. 
Riall. On the 4th, Gen. Brown approached these works. 
On the following day, the two armies met in the open 
field. '!rhe contest was obstinate and bloody ; but, at 
length, the Americans proved victorious, while the Brit- 
ish retired with the loss of 514 men. The loss of the 
Americans was 328. 

'47. Immediately after this defeat. Gen. Riall retired 
to Burlington Heights. Here, Lieut. Gen. Drummond, 
with a large force, joined him, and, assuming the com- 
mand, led back the army towards the American camp. 
On the 25th, the two armies met at Bridgewater, near 
the cataract of Niagara, and a most desperate engage^ 



314 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

ment ensued, about sunset, and lasted till midnight. At 
length, the Americans were left in quiet possession of 
the field. 

The battle of Bridgewater, or Niagara, was one of the most 
bloody contlicts recorded in modern warfare. The British force 
engaged fell something short of .5000 men, including 1500 militia 
and Indians. The force of the Americans was by one third less. 
The total loss of the British was 878. Generals Drummond and 
Riall were among the wounded. The Americans lost, in killed, 
wounded, and missing, 860. Among the killed were eleven 
officers, and among the wounded, fifty-six. Both Generals Brown 
and Scott were among the latter. On receiving his wound, Gen. 
Brown directed Gen. Ripley to assume the command. Unfor- 
tunately, the Americans, having no means to remove the British 
artillery which had been captured, were obliged to leave it on 
the field. On being apprized of this, the British forthwith re- 
turned, and took their artillery again in charge. Owing to this 
circumstance, the British officers had the hardihood, in their de- 
spatches to government, to claim the victory. 

48. Gen. Ripley, finding his numbers too much re- 
duced to withstand a force so greatly his superior, deem- 
ed it prudent to return to Fort Erie. On the 4th of 
August, this fort was invested by Gen. Drummond, with 
5000 men ; and for 49 days the siege was pressed with 
great zeal ; but, at length, the British general was 
obliged to retire, without having accomplished his object. 

The American force was at tliis time reduced to IGOO men. 
On the 5th, Gen. Gaines arrived at Erie from Sacket's Harbor, 
and took the command. On the 15th, a large British force ad- 
vanced, in three columns, under Colonels Drummond, Fischer, 
and Scott, against the fort, but were repulsed with the signal loss 
of 57 killed, 319 wounded, and 539 missing. Among the killed 
were Colonels Drummond and Scott. 

For some time following this rencontre, both armies were in- 
active. But, at length, the distressed state of the besieged 
Americans in the fort attracting the attention of government, a 
force of five thousand, under Gen. Izard, was ordered from PlatAs 
burg to proceed to their relief. 

On the 17th of September, Gen. Brown, who had recovered 
ffom his wounds, and had resumed the command of the fort, 
ordered a sortie, in which the Americans were so successful, that 
Gen. Drummond was obliged to raise the siege, and to retire with 
the loss of a great quantity of artillery and ammunition, and of 1000 
men, which were his number of killed, wounded, and prisoners. 



MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. 315 

Shortly after, the troops under Gen. Izard arriving, the Ameri- 
cans were able to commence offensive operations. They, there- 
fore, leaving only a moderate garrison in the fort, now advanced 
towards Chippewa, where Drummond had taken post. Near this 
place a partial battle occurred on the 20th of October, in which 
the Americans so far gained the advantage as to cause the ene- 
m}' to retire. 

49. While these events were transpiring in the north, 
the public attention was irresistibly drawn to the move- 
ments of the enemy, on the sea-board. About the mid- 
dle of August, between fifty and sixty British sail arrived 
in the Chesapeake, with troops destined for the attack 
of Washington, the capital of the United States. On 
the 23d of August, six thousand British troops, com- 
manded by Gen. Ross, forced their way to that place, 
and burnt the capitol, president's house, and executive 
o!hces. Having thus accomplished an object highly dis- 
graceful to the British arms, and wantonly burned pub- 
lic buildings, the ornament and pride of the nation, the 
destruction of which could not hasten the termination of 
the war — on the 25th they retired, and, by rapid marches, 
regained their shipping, having lost, during the expedi- 
tion, nearly one thousand men. 

The troops under Gen. Ross were landed at Benedict, on the 
Patuxent, forty-seven miles from Washington. On the 21st, they 
moved towards Nottingham, and the following day, reached 
Marlborough. A British flotilla, commanded bj,"^ Cockburn, con- 
sisting of launches and barges, ascended the river at the same 
time, keeping on the righf flank of the army. The day follow- 
ing, on approaching the American flotilla of Commodore Barney, 
v/hich liad taken refuge high up the river, twelve miles from 
Washington, some sailors, left on board the flotilla for the purpose, 
should it be necessary, set fire to it, and fled. 

On the arrival of the British army at Bladensburg, six miles 
from Washington, Gen. Winder, commander of the American 
forces, chiefly militia collected for the occasion, ordered them to 
engage the enemy. The principal part of the militia, however, 
fled, at the opening of the contest. Commodore Barney, with a 
few eighteen pounders, and about four hundred men, made a 
gallant resistance ; but, being overpowered by numbers, and him- 
self wounded, he and a part of his brave band were compelled to 
surrender themselves prisoners of war. 

From Bladensburg, Gen. Ross urged his march to Washington, 



nm PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

where he arrived at about 8 o'clock in the evening. Having 
stationed his main body at the distance of a mile and a half from 
the capital, he entered the city, at the head of about seven hun- 
<lred men, soon after which, he issued his orders for the confla- 
gration of the public buildings. With the capitol were consum- 
ed its valuable libraries, and all the furniture, and articles of 
taste and value, in that and in the other buildings. The great 
bridge across the Potomac was burned, together with an elegant 
hotel, and other private buildings. 

50. The capture of Washington was followed, Sep- 
tember r2th, by an attack on Baltimore, in which the 
American forces, militia, and inhabitants of Baltimore, 
made a gallant defence. Being, however, overpowered 
by a superior force, they were compelled to retreat ; but 
they fought so valiantly, that the attempt to gain posses- 
sion of the city was abandoned by the enemy, who, dur- 
ing the night of Tuesday, 13th, retired to their sljipping, 
having lost, among their killed. Gen. Ross, the command- 
er-in-chief of the British troops. 

The British army, after the capture of Washington, having 
re-embarked on board the fleet in the Patuxent, Admiral Coch- 
rnne moved down that river, and proceeded up the Chesapeake. 
On the morning of the 11th of September, he appeared at the 
mouth of the Patapsco, fourteen miles from Baltimore, with a 
fleet of ships of war and transports, amounting to fifty sail. 

On the next day, 12th, land forces, to the number of six thou- 
sand, were landed at North Point, and, under the command of 
Gen. Ross, commenced their march towards the city. In antici- 
pation of the landing of the troops. Gen. Strieker was despatched 
with three thousand two hundred men from Baltimore, to keep 
the enemy in check. 

On the 12th, a battle w^as fought by the two armies. Early in 
the engagement, a considerable part of Gen. Strieker's troops 
retreated in confusion, leaving him scarcely one thousand four 
hundred men, to whom was opposed the whole body of the ene- 
my. An incessant fire was continued from half past two o'clock, 
till a little before four, when Gen. Strieker, finding the contest 
unequal, and that the enemy outflanked him, retreated upon his 
reserve, which was effected in good order. 

The loss of the Americans, in killed and wounded, amounted 
to one hundred and sixty-three, among whom were some of the 
most respectable citizens of Baltimore. 

The enemy made his appearance, the next morning, in front 
of the American intrenchments, at a distance of two miles from 
the city, showing an intention of renewing the attack. 



MADISON S ADMINISTRATION. 317 

In the mean time, an attack was made on Fort M'Henry, from 
frigates, bombs, and rocket vessels, which continued througli the 
day, and the greater part of the night, doing, however, but little 
damage. 

In the course of the night of Tuesday, Admiral Cochrane held 
a communication with the commander of the land forces, and, 
the enterprise of taking the city being deemed impracticable, the 
troops were re-embarked; and the next day, the fleet descended 
the bay, to the great joy of the released inhabitants. 

51. The joy experienced in all parts of the United 
States, on account of the brave defence of Baltimore, 
had scarcely subsided, when intelligence was received 
of the signal success of the Americans at Plattsburg, 
and on Lake Champlain. The army of Sir George Pre- 
vost, amounting to fourteen thousand men, was com- 
pelled by Gen. Macomb to retire from the former, and 
the enemy's squadron, commanded by Commodore Dow- 
nie, was captured by Commodore Macdonough on the 
latter. 

Towards the close of the winter of 1814, Gen. Wilkinson, with 
his army, removed from their winter-quarters at French Mills, 
and took station at Plattsburg. Gen. Wilkinson leaving the 
command of the army, Gen. Izard succeeded him at this place. 
By September, the troops at Plattsburg were diminished, by de- 
tachments withdrawn to other stations, to one thousand five hun- 
dred men. 

In this state of the forces, it was announced that Sir George 
Prevost, governor-general of Canada, with an army of fourteen 
thousand men, completely equipped, and accompanied by a 
numerous train of artillery, was about making a descent on 
Plattsburg. 

At this time, both the Americans and British had a respectable 
naval force on Lake Champlain ; but that of the latter was con- 
siderably the superior, amounting to ninety-five guns, and one 
thousand and fifty men, while the American squadron carried 
but eighty-six guns, and eight hundred and twenty-six men. 

On the 11th of September, while the American fleet was ly- 
ing off" Plattsburg, the British squadron was observed bearing 
down upon it in order of battle. 

Commodore Macdonough, ordering his vessels cleared for ac- 
tion, gallantly received the enemy. An engagement ensued, 
which lasted two hours and twenty minutes. By this time, the 
enemy was silenced, and one frigate, one brig, &,nd two sloops 
of war, fell into the hands of the Americans. Several British 

27* 



318 



PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 



galleys were «unk, and a few others escaped. The loss of the 
Americans was fifty-two killed, and fifty-eight wounded ; of the 
British, eighty-four killed, and one hundred and ten wounded. 

Previously to this eventful day, Sir George Prevost, with hia 
army, arrived in the vicinity of Plattsburg. In anticipation of 
this event, Gen. Macomb made every preparation, which time 
and means allowed, and called in to his assistance considerable 
numbers of the militia. 




In the sight of these two armies, the rival squadrons com- 
menced their contest. And, as if their engagement had been a 
preconcerted signal, and as if to raise still higher the solemn 
grandeur of the scene. Sir George Prevost now led up his forces 
against the American works, and began throwing upon theip 
shells, balls, and rockets. 

At the same time, the Americans opened a severe and de- 
structive fire from their forts. Before sunset, the temporary bat- 
teries of Sir George Prevost were all silenced, and every at- 
tempt of the enemy to cross from Plattsburg to the American 
works was repelled. At nine o'clock, perceiving the attainment 
of his object impracticable, the British general hastily withdrew 
his forces, diminished by killed, wounded, and deserted, two 
thousand five hundred. At the same time, he abandoned vast 
quantities of military stores, and left the inhabitants of Platts- 
burg to take care of the sick and wounded of his army, and the 



Madison's administration. 319 

"star-spangled banner" to wave in triumph over the waters of 
Champlain. 

52. The opposition of the New England representatives 
in congress to the declaration of war has been noticed. 
[Sec. 12.) In this opposition, a great majority of their 
constituents coincided ; and, during the progress of the 
war, that opposition became confirmed, and apprehen- 
sions were indulged that, in consequence of the ill- 
management of the general government, a crisis was 
forming, which might involve the country in ruin. 

Under these apprehensions, in October, 1814, the le- 
gislature of Massachusetts recommended the meeting 
of a convention from the New England states. This 
measure, though strongly opposed, was adopted by thai 
body. Delegates were accordingly chosen. This ex- 
ample was followed by Rhode Island and Connecticut 
Vermont refused, and New Hampshire neglected to send. 

On the 15th of December, these delegates, together 
with two elected by counties in New Hampshire, and 
one similarly elected in Vermont, met at Hartford. Af- 
ter a session of near three weeks, they published a re- 
port, in which, after dwelling upon the public grievances 
felt by the New England states particularly, and by the 
country at large, in no small degree, they proceeded to 
suggest several alterations of the federal constitution^ 
with a view to their adoption by the respective states of 
the Union, 

These alterations consisted of seven articles : — -first, that rep 
resentatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned to the number 
of free persons ; — secondly, that no new state shall be admitted 
into the Union, without the concurrence of two thirds of both 
houses; — i/mY//?/, that congress shall not have power to lay an 
embargo for more than sixty days ;— fourthly, that congress shall 
not interdict commercial intercourse, without the concurrence of 
two thirds of both houses ; — fifthly, that war shall not be declared 
without the concurrence of a similar majority ; — sixthly, that no 
person, who shall be herenfter naturalized, shall be eligible as a 
member of the senate or house of representatives, or hold any 
civil office under the authority of the United States ; and, sev- 
enthly, that iij person shall be elected twice to the presidency, 



320 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

nor tlie president be elected from the same state two terms in 
succession. 

The conclusion of a treaty of peace with Great Britain, not 
iong after, being announced, another convention was not called ; 
and, on the submission of the above amendn:kents of the consti- 
tution to the several states, they were rejected. 

53. In the month of December, a British fleet of six- 
ty sail, having arrived on the coast east of the Mississippi, 
landed fifteen thousand troops. These, on the 8th of 
January, 1815, under command of Sir Edward Pa.cken- 
ham, attacked the Americans, amounting to about six 
thousand, chiefly militia, in their intrenchments, before 
New Orleans. After an engagement of more than an 
hour, the enemy, having lost their commander-in-chief, 
and Maj. Gen. Gibbs, and having been cut to pieces in 
an almost unexampled degree, fled in confusion, leaving 
their dead and wounded on the field of battle. 

During several preliminary engagements, Gen. Jackson, now 
commanding at New Orleans, had been diligently emplo3'ed in 
preparations to defend the place. His front was a straight line 
of one thousand yards, defended by upwards of three thousand 
infantry and artillerists. The ditch contained five feet of water, 
and his front, from having been flooded by opening the levees, 
and by frequent rains, was rendered slippery and muddy. Eight 
distinct batteries were judiciously disposed, mounting in all 
twelve guns of different calibers. On the opposite side of the 
river was a strong battery of fifteen guns. 

On the morning of the 8t,h of January, General Packenham 
orought up his forces, amounting to twelve thousand men, to the 
attack. The British deliberately advanced in solid columns, 
over an even plain, in front of the American intrenchments, the 
men carrying, besides their muskets, fascines, and some of them 
ladders. 

A solemn silence now prevailed through the American lines, 
until the enemy approached within reach of the batteries, 
"which at that moment opened an incessant and destructive can 
nonade. The enemy, notwithstanding, continued to advance, 
closing up their ranks as fast as they were opened by the fire 
of the Americans. 

At length, they came within reach of the musketry and rifles. 
The extended American line noW unitedly presented one sheet 
of fire, and poured in upon the British columns an unceasing 
tide of death. Hundreds fell at every discharge, and by colmnns 
were swept away. 



Madison's administration. J321 

Being unable to stand the shock, the British became disorder- 
ed and fled. In an attempt to rally them, Gen. Packenham was 
killed. Generals Gibbs and Keau succeeded in pushing forward 
their columns a second time, but the second approach was still 
more fatal than the first. The fires again rolled from the Ameri- 
can batteries, and from thousands of muskets. The advancing 
columns again broke and fled ; a few platoons only reached the 
edge of the ditch, there to meet a more certain destruction- In 
a third but unavailing attempt to lead up their troops, Generals 
Gibbs and Kean were severely wounded, the former mortally. 

The field of battle now exhibited a scene of extended carnage. 
Seven hundred brave soldiers were sleeping in death, and one 
thousand four hundred were wounded. Five hundred Avere made 
prisoners — making a loss to the British, on this memorable day, 
of near three thousand men. The Americans lost in the engage- 
ment only seven killed, and six wounded. 

The enemy now sullenly retired, and, on the night of the 18th, 
evacuated their camp, and, with great secrecy, embarked on 
board their shipping. 

54. The news of the victory at New Orleans spread 
with haste through the United States, and soon after 
was followed by the still more welcome tidings of a 
treaty of peace, which was signed at Ghent, on the 24th 
of December, 1814. On the 17th of February, this 
treaty was ratified by the president and senate. 

Upon the subjects for which the war had been professedly de- 
clared, the treaty, thus concluded, was silent. It provided only 
for the suspension of hostilities — the exchange of prisoners- — the 
restoration of territories and possessions obtained by the con- 
tending powers, during the war — the adjustment of unsettled 
boundaries — and for a combined effort to effect the entire aboli- 
tion of traffic in slaves. 

But whatever diversity of opinion had prevailed about the jus- 
tice or policy of the war — or now prevailed about the merits of 
the treaty — all parties welcomed the return of peace. The sol- 
dier gladly exchanged the toils of the camp for the rest of his 
home ; the mariner once more spread his canvass to the wind, 
and, fearless of molestation, joyfully stretched his way on the 
ocean ; and the yeomanry of the land, unaccustomed to the din of 
arms, gladly returned to their wonted care of the field and the 
flock. 

55. The treaty with England was followed, on the 
30th of June, 1815, by a treaty with the dey of Algiers, 
concluded at Algiers, at that time, by William Shaler 



S22 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

and Commodore Stephen Decatur, agents for the United 
States. 

The war. which thus ended by treaty, was commenced by the 
dey himself, as early as the year 18J2. At that time, the Ameri- 
can consul, Mr. Lear, was suddenly ordered to depart from Al- 
jriers, on account of the arrival of a cargo of naval and military 
stores, for the regency of Algiers, in fulfilment of treaty stipula- 
tions, which, the dey alleged, were not such, in quantity or quali- 
ty, as he expected. At the same time, depredations were com- 
menced upon our commerce. Several American vessels were 
captured and condemned, and their crews subjected to slavery. 

Upon a representation of the case, by the president, to con- 
gress, that body formally declared war against the dey in March. 
Soon after, an American squadron sailed for the Mediterranean, 
captured an Algerine brig, and a forty-four gun frigate ; and, at 
length, appeared before Algiers. 

The respectability of the American force, added to the two im- 
portant victories already achieved, had prepared the way for the 
American commissioners to dictate a treaty, upon such a basis as 
they pleased. Accordingly, the model of a treaty w^as sent to 
the dey, who signed it. By this treaty, the United States were 
exempted from paying tribute in future ; captured property was 
to be restored by the dey ; prisoners to be delivered up without 
ransom, &c. &€. 

56. The treaty with Great Britain, which ended the 
war, left the subject of commercial intercourse between 
the two nations to future negotiation. In the summer 
following the close of the war, plenipotentiaries, respec- 
tively appointed by the two countries for that purpose, 
met at London, and, on the 3d of July, signed " a con- 
vention, by which to regulate the commerce between the 
territories of the United States and of his Britannic 
majesty." 

This convention provided for a reciprocal liberty of commerce 
between the two countries — for on equalization of duties on im- 
portations and exportations from either country to the other — and 
for the admission of American vessels to the principal settle- 
ments of the British dominions in the East Indies, viz. Madras, 
Calcutta, Bombay, &c. Of this convention, the president spoke 
in terms of approbation, in his message to congress; biit by a 
large portion of the community it was received with coldness, 
from an apprehension that it would operate unfavorably to 
America, and would seriously abridge her commerce. The con- 
vention was to be binding only for four years. 



Madison's administration. 323 

57. By the second article of the treaty with Great 
Britain, it was agreed, that all vessels, taken by either 
power, within twelve days from the exchange of ratifica- 
tions, between twenty-three degrees and fifty degrees of 
north latitude, should be considered lawful prizes. A 
longer period was stipulated for more distant latitudes. 
Within the time limited by this article, several actions took 
place, and several vessels of various descriptions were 
captured by each of the belligerents. The frigate Presi- 
dent was taken January 15th, 1815, by a British squad- 
ron ; the British ships Cyane, Levant, and Penguin, 
were captured by the Americans. 

58. The attention of congress during their session in 
1815 — 16, was called to a bill, which had for its object 
the incorporation of a national bank. In the discussion 
which followed, much diversity of opinion was found to 
prevail, not only as to the constitutional power of con- 
gress to establish such an institution, but also as to the 
principles upon which it should be modelled. After 
weeks of animated debate, a bill, incorporating the 
^^ Bank of the United States,'^ with a capital of thirty- 
five millions of dollars, passed, and on Wednesday, 
April 10th, received the signature of the president. 

Of the stock of the bank, seven millions were to be subscribed 
by the United States, the remaining twenty-eight by individuals. 
The affairs of the corporation were to be managed by twenty-five 
directors, five of whom were to be chosen by the president, with 
the advice and consent of the senate ; the remainder to be elect 
ed by the stockholders, at the banking-house in Philadelphia. 
The charter of the bank is to continue in force until the 3d of 
March, 1836. 

59. In December, 1816, Indiana became an indepen 
dent state, and was received into the Union. 

Detached places in Indiana were settled by the French, up- 
wards of a centuiy ago. The exact period, at which the first 
settlement was made, is uncertain. 

In 17G3, the territory was ceded by France to England. By 
the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, the United States obtained of 
the Indians several small grants of land within this territory ; 
and, in subsequent years, still more extensive tracts. During 



324 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

the war with England, which broke out in 1812, Indiana was 
the scene of many Indian depredations, and of many unusually 
severe battles between the hostile tribes and the troops of the 
United States. Until 1801, Indiana formed a part of the great 
north-western territory; but, at that date, it was erected into a 
territorial government, with the usual powers and privileges. In 
December, 1815, the inhabitants amounting to sixty thousand, 
the legislature petitioned congress for admission into the Union, 
and the privilege of forming a state constitution. A bill for this 
purpose passed congress, in April, 1816; a convention of dele- 
gates met in conformity to it, by which a constitution was adopt- 
ed, and Indiana became an independent state, and a member of 
the Union, in December following. 

60. 1817. On Wednesday, February 12th, the votes 
for Mr. Madison's successor were counted in the pres- 
ence of both houses of congress, when it appeared that 
James Monroe was elected president, and Daniel D. 
Tompkins vice-president of the United States, for the 
four years from and after the 4th of the ensuing March. 



NOTES. • 

61. ManiXers. The only noticeable change of man- 
ners, which seems to have taken place during this pe- 
riod, arose from the spirit of pecuniary speculation, 
which pervaded the country during the war. Money 
was borrowed with facility, and fortunes were often 
made in a day. Extravagance and profligacy Avere, to 
some extent, the consequence. The return of peace, 
and the extensive misfortunes which fell upon every part 
of the community, counteracted these vices, and restored 
more sober and industrious habits. 

62. Religion. During this period, extensive revivals 
of religion prevailed, and liberal and expanded plans 
were devised and commenced for the promotion of Chris- 
tianity. Several theological institutions were founded, 
missionary and Bible societies were established, and a 
great call for ministers of the gospel was heard. 

63. Trade and Commerce. During this period, 
trade and commerce were crippled by foreign restric- 



Madison's administration. 325 

tions, our own acts of non-intercourse, and, at length, 
by the war with England. During this war, our carry- 
ing trade was destroyed ; nor was it restored by the 
peace of 1815. 

On the return of peace, immense importations were 
made from England, the country being destitute of Eng- 
lish merchandise. The market was soon glutted, prices 
fell, and extensive bankruptcies were the consequence. 

64. Agriculture. Agriculture, during this period, 
cannot be said to have made great advances. 

An excessive disposition in the people for trade and specula- 
tion, drew off the attention of the more intelligent and active 
part of the community, and directed much of the capital of the 
country to other objects. Upon the return of peace, however, 
when mercantile distresses overspread the land, agriculture was 
again resorted to, as one of the surest means of obtaining a live- 
lihood. Men of capital, too, turned their attention to farming ; 
agricultural societies were established in all parts of the country ; 
more enlightened methods of culture were introduced, and agri- 
culture became not only one of the most profitable, but one of 
the most popular objects of pursuit. 

65. Arts and Manufactures. During the war 
which occurred in this period, the intercourse with 
England, and other places, being stopped, the country 
was soon destitute of those articles which had been sup- 
plied by English manufactories. Accordingly, the peo- 
ple began to manufacture for themselves. Extensive 
manufacturing establishments were started for almost 
every sort of merchandise. Such was their success at 
the outset, that an immense capital was soon invested 
in them, and the country began to be supplied with 
almost every species of manufacture from our own es- 
tablishments. After the peace, the country being inun- 
dated with British goods, these establishments suffered 
the severest embarrassments, and many of them were 
entirely broken down. A considerable portion of them, 
however, were maintained, and continued to flourish. 

66. Population. At the expiration of Mr. Madison's 
term of ofhce, in 1817, the number of inhabitants in 

28 



326 PERIOD X.— 1809 TO 1817. 

the United States was about nine millions five hundred 
thousand. 

67. Education. The pecuniary embarrassments 
experienced throughout the country, during the latter 
part of this period, sensibly affected some institutions 
devoted to science and benevolence, especially those 
which depend, in part, upon the yearly contributions of 
the patrons of learning and religion, for the means of 
support. In several of the higher seminaries, the num- 
ber of students was, for a time, diminished. Neverthe- 
less, parochial schools, academies, and colleges, upon 
the whole, continued to increase, and to qualify many 
for the common and higher professions of life. 

A theological institution was established at Princeton, New 
Jersey, in li:il2, by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
Church. In 1821. the theological seminary of the Associate 
Reformed Church, in New York, was united to that of Prince- 
ton, and its library, consisting of four thousand volumes, which 
cost seventeen thousand dollars, was transferred to the latter 
place. This seminary has three professors, and, in 1821, had 
seventy-three students. 

During the same year, Hamilton College was incorporated at 
Clinton, New York : it has been liberally patronized by tl>e\ 
legislature, and by individuals. 



UNITED STATES 
PERIOD XL 

DISTINGUISHED FOR MONROe's ADMINISTRATION. 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Monroe, 
1817, to March, 1825. 

Sec. I. On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took 
the oath prescribed by the constitution, and entered upon 
the duties of president of the United States. 

The condition of the country, on the accession of Mr. Monroe 
to the presidency, was, in several respects, more prosperous and 
happy, than on the accession of his predecessor. Not only had 
war ceased, and the political asperity excited by it given place 
to better feelings, but efforts were made, in every section of the 
Union, to revive those plans of business which the war had nearly 
annihilated. The country had suffered too much, however, to re- 
gain immediately its former prosperity. Commerce was far from 
being flourishing ; a considerable part of the legitimate trade was 
in the hands of foreigners ; many ships were lying unemployed, 
and the ship-building in many ports had nearly ceased. The 
manufacturing establishments, which had not been entirely 
broken down, were sustaining a precarious existence. Foreign 
merchandise was inundating the country; and the specie, bor- 
rowed in Europe for the national bank, at an excessive premium, 
as well as that which was previously in the country, was rapidly 
leaving it to pay the balance of trade against us. In his inau- 
gural address, however, the president spoke in animating terms 
of the happy state of the country, and of its prospects of regain- 
ing, at no distant period, that measure of prosperity, which, in 
former years, it had enjoyed. 

2. The senate having been convened at the same 
time, a cabinet was formed under the new administra- 



328 PERIOD XI.— 1817 TO 1825. 

tion. The department of state was intrusted to Mr 
Adams. Mr. Crawford was continued in the treasury. 
Mr. Calhoun was appointed secretary of war, and Smith 
Thompson was placed over the department of the navy. 

3. In the summer and autumn following his inaugu- 
ration, the president made a tour through the northern 
and eastern states of the Union. 

The objects of this tour were connected with the national in- 
terests. Congress had appropriated large sums of money for the 
fortification of the sea-coast, and inland frontiers, for the estab- 
lishment of naval docks, and for increasing the navy. The su- 
perintendence of these works belonged to the president. Solici- 
tous to discharge his duty, in reference to them, with judgment, 
fidelity, and economy, he was induced to visit the most impor- 
tant points along the sea-coast and in the interior, from a con- 
viction of being better able to direct, in reference to them, with 
the knowledge derived from personal observation, than by means 
of information communicated to him by others. 

4. On the 11th of December, the state of Mississippi 
was acknowledged by congress as sovereign and inde- 
pendent, and was admitted to the Union. 

The first European who visited the present state of Mississippi, 
appears to have been Ferdinand de Soto, a native of Badajoz, in 
Spain, who landed on the coast of Florida on the 25th of May, 
1539. He spent three years in the country, searching for gold, 
but at length died, and was buried on the banks of the Missis- 
sippi, May, 1542. 

In 1683, M. de Salle descended the Mississippi, and gave the 
name of Louisiana to the country. In consequence of this, the 
French claimed to have jurisdiction over it. In 171(3, they formed 
a settlement at the Natchez, and built a fort, which they named 
Rosa)ie. Other settlements were effected in subsequent years. 
The French settlements were, however, seriously disturbed by 
the Indians, particularly by the Natchez, once the most powerful 
of all the southern tribes. 

The French retained an acknowledged title to the country on 
the east side of the Mississippi, until the treaty of 1763, when 
they ceded their possessions east of that river to the English. 
By the treaty of 1783, Great Britain relinquished the Floridas to 
Spain without specific boundaries ; and at the same time ceded 
to the United States all the country north of the thirty-first de- 
gree of latitude. The Spaniards retained possession of the 
Natchez, and the ports north of the thirty-first degree, until 1798, 
when they finally abandoned them to the United States. 

In tlie year 1800, the territory between the Mississippi and the 



Monroe's administration. 329 

western boundary of Georgia, was erected into a distinct terri- 
torial government. By treaty at Fort Adam, in 1801, the Choc- 
taw Indians relinquished to the United States a large body of 
land, and other cessions have since been made. On the 1st of 
March, 1817, congress authorized the people of the western part 
of Mississippi territory to form a constitution and state govern- 
ment. A convention met in July, 1817, by which a constitution 
was formed, and in December following, Mississippi was admit- 
ted into the Union as a separate state. 

5. In the course of the same month, an expedition 
v/hich had been set on foot by a number of adventurers 
from diiferent countries, against East and West Florida, 
was terminated by the troops of the United States. 
These adventurers claimed to be acting under the au- 
thority of some of the South American colonies, and 
had formed an establishment at Amelia Island, a Spanish 
province, then the subject of negotiation between the 
United States and Spain. Their avowed object being 
an invasion of the Floridas, and of course an invasion 
of a part of the United States, the American government 
deemed itself authorized, without designing any hostili- 
ty to Spain, to take possession of Amelia Island, their 
head-quarters. 

A similar establishment had previously been formed at Gal- 
vezton, a small island on the coast of the Texas, claimed by the 
United States. From both of these places privateers were fitted 
out. which greatly annoyed our regular commerce. Prizes were 
sent in, and, by a pretended court of admiralty, condemned and 
sold. Slaves, in great numbers, were shipped through these 
islands to the United States, and through the same channel ex- 
tensive clandestine importations of goods were made. Jvistly 
apprehending the results of these establishments, if suffered to 
proceed unmolested, the executive took early measures to sup- 
press them. Accordingly, a naval force, with the necessary 
troops, was despatched, under command of Captains Henly and 
Bankhead, to whom Amelia Island was surrendered, on the 24th 
of December, without the effusion of blood. The suppression 
of Galvezton followed soon after. 

G. Several bills of importance passed congress, dur- 
ing their session, in the winter of 1817-1818 ; a bill 
allowing to the members of the senate and house of rep- 
resentatives the sum of eight dollars per day, during 



330 PERIOD XL— 1817 TO 1825, 

their attendance ; a second, in compliance with the re- 
-com inundation of the president, abolishing the internal 
duties ; and a third, providing, upon the same recom- 
mendation, for the indigent officers and soldiers of the 
revolutionary army. 

7. In April, 1818, Illinois adopted a state consti- 
tution, and in December following was admitted as a 
member of the Union. 

Illinois derives its name from its principal river, ■which, in the 
language of the Indians, signifies the river of men. The first 
eettlenicnts, like those of Indiana, were made by the French, and 
were the consequence of the adventurous enterprises of M. de 
la Salle, in search of the Mississippi. The first settlements were 
the villag-es of Kaskaskia and Cahokia. In the beginning of 
the eighteenth century, the settlements of Illinois were repre- 
sented to have been in a flourishing condition. But subsequent- 
ly they in a great measure declined. 

From the beginning to the middle of the eighteenth century, 
little was Iieard of the settlements of the French on the banks 
of the Illinois. About 1749, the French began to fortify the 
Wabash and Illinois, in order to resist the British. In 1762, all 
the country to the east of the Mississippi was ceded to the latter 
power, and consequently Illinois passed under the British do- 
sninion. At the peace of 1783, Great Britain renounced its 
claims of sovereignty over this country, as well as over the United 
States. Virginia, however, and some other states, claimed the 
whole country north and west of the Ohio ; but at the instance 
of congress, a cession of these claims was made to the general 
government. Illinois remained a part of Indiana until 1809, 
when a distinct territorial government was established for it. In 
1818, the people formed a constitution, and it is now one of the 
United States. 

8. Early after the conclusion of this session of con- 
gress, the president, in pursuance of his determination 
to visit such parts of the United States as were most 
exposed to the naval and military forces of an eiiemy, 
prepared to survey the Chesapeake bay, and the country 
lying on its extensive shores. 

In the month of May, he left Washington, accompanied by 
the secretary of war and the secretary of the navy, with other 
gentlemen of distinction. On his arrival at Annapolis, the pres- 
ident and his suite minutely examined the waters contiguous, in 
reference to their fitness for a naval depot. Embarking at this 



Monroe's administration. 331 

place on board a vessel, he further examined the coast, and 
thence proceeded to Norfolk. Having at length accomplished 
the principal object of his tour, in the examination of the Chesa- 
peake bay, he returned to Washington, June 17th, through the 
interior of v^irginia. The respectful and affectionate demonstra- 
tions of attacliment paid to him during his northern tour were re- 
newed in this. 

9. On the 27th of May, 1818, a treaty, concluded with 
Sweden, at Stockholm, on the 4th of September^ 1816, 
by Mr. Russel, minister plenipotentiary to that court, 
was ratified by the president and senate, on the part of 
the United States. The same was ratified by the king 
of Sweden on the 24th of the following July. 

This treaty provided for maintaining peace and/riendship be- 
tween the two countries — reciprocal liberty of commerce — equali- 
zation of duties. &c. &c. The treaty was to continue in force 
for eight years from the exchange of ratifications. 

10. During the year 1818, a war was carried on be- 
tween the Seminole Indians and the United States, 
which terminated in the complete discomfiture of the 
former. 

The Indians, denominated Sembiolc Indians, inhabited a tract 
of- country partly within the limits of the United States, but a 
greater part of which lied vv^ithin the boundaries of the Floridas. 
riot a few Creeks, dissatisfied with the treaty of 1814, (see Period 
X. Sex. no.) had fled to the Seminoles, carrying with them feel- 
ings of hostility against the United States. 

These feelings were much strengthened by foreign white 
emissaries, who had taken up their residence among themfoi the 
purpose of trade. At length, several outrages being committed 
by the Indians upon the border inhabitants of the United States, 
the secretary of war ordered Gen. Gaines to remoA'-e, at his dis- 
cretion, such Indians as were still on the lands ceded to the Uni- 
ted States by the Creeks in 1814. 

The execution of this order roused the Indians, who, in great 
numbers, invested Fort Scott, where Gen. Gaines was confined^ 
v/ith GOO men. 

Information of this state of things being communicated to the 
department of war, Gen. Jacksin was ordered. December 26th. to 
take the field, and directed, if he should deem the force with 
Gen. Gaines, amounting in all to 1800 men, insufficient to cope 
with the enemy, " to call on the executives of the adjacent states 
for such an additional militia f:)rce as he might deem requisite." 



332 PERIOD XI.— 1817 TO 1825. 

On the receipt of this order, Gen. Jackson prepared to comply; 
bvit, instead of calling- upon the executives of the neighboring 
states, especially upon the governor of Tennessee, who lived 
near his residence, he addressed a circular to the patriots of West 
Tennessee, inviting one thousand of them to join his standard. 

This call being promptly obeyed, Gen. Jackson, with these 
troops and a body of friendly Creeks, entered upon the Seminole 
war. 

Deeming it necessary, for the subjugation of the Seminoles, to 
enter Florida, Gen. Jackson marched upon St. Marks, a feeble 
Spanish garrison, in which some Indians had taken refuge. Of 
this garrison. Gen. Jackson quietly took possession, and occupied 
it as an American post. At St. Marks was found Alexander 
Arbuthnot, who was taken prisoner and put in confinement. At 
the same time were taken two Indian chiefs, one of whom pre- 
tended to possess the spirit of prophecy ; they were hung with- 
out trial. St.*Marks being garrisoned by American troops, the 
army marched to Suwaney river, on which they found a large 
Indian village, Avhich was consumed, after which the army re- 
turned to St. Marks, bringing with them Robert C. Ambrister, 
v/ho had been taken prisoner on their march to Suwaney. Dur- 
ing the halt of the army for a few days at St. jVIarks, a general 
court martial was called, before which charges w^ere made against 
Ambrister and Arbuthnot. Both were adjudged guilty, and the 
former was sentenced to be shot — -the latter to be hung. Subse- 
quently, however, the sentence in respect to Ambrister was re- 
considered, and he was sentenced to be whipped and confined to 
hard labor. This decision Gen. Jackson reversed, and ordered 
both to be executed according to ih.e first sentence of the court. 

At St. Marks, Gen. Jackson, being informed that the Spanish 
governor of Pensacola was favoring the Indians, took up his 
march for the capital of that province, before which, after a 
march of twenty days, he appeared. This place was taken with 
scarcely a show of resistance — a new government was establish- 
ed for the province, the powers of which were vested partl}^ in 
military officers, and partly in citizens of the province. Gen. 
Jackson now announced to the secretary that the Seminole war 
was closed, and returned to his residence at Nashville. Some 
time after, the American executive, deeming the longer posses- 
sion of the Spanish forts unnecessary to the peace of the country, 
and inconsistent with good faith to Spain, directed them to be 
restored, and accompanied the restoration with the reasons which 
had led to their occupation. 

The measures adopted by Gen. Jackson in the prosecution of 
this war — particularly his appeal to the people of West Tennes- 
see — his conduct in relation to the trial and execution of Arbutli- 
not and Ambrister — and his occupation of St. Marks and Pensa- 
coia — excited strong sensations in the bosoms of a considerable 



Monroe's administration. 3153 

portion of the American people. During the session of congress 
in the winter of 1818 — 1819, these subjects were extensively and 
eloquently debated. By the military committee of the house, a 
report was presented, censuring the conduct of Gen. Jackson ; 
but, after an elaborate examination of the case, the house, by a 
majority of one hundred and eight to sixty-two, refused its con- 
currence. Towards the close of ihe session, a report unfavorable 
to Gen. Jackson was also brought forward in the senate, but no 
vote of censure or resolution was attached, and no discussion of 
its merits was had. 

11. On the 2Sth of January, 1819, a convention be- 
tween Great Britain and the United States, concluded 
at London, October 20th, 1818, and ratified by the 
Prince Regent on the 2d of November following, was 
ratified by the president of the United States. 

By the first article of this convention, the citizens of the Uni- 
ted States have liberty, in common with the subjects of Great 
Britain, to take fish on the southern, western, and northern coast 
of Newfoundland, &c. The second article establishes the north- 
ern boundaries of the United States from the Lake of the Woods 
to the Stony Mountains. By the fourth article, the commercial 
convention between the two countries, concluded at London, in 
1815, is extended for the term often years longer, «fcc. &c. 

12. On the 22d of February, following, a treaty was 
concluded at Washington, by John Quincy Adams and 
Luis de Onis, by which East and West Florida, with all 
the islands adjacent, &/C., were ceded by Spain to the 
United States. 

By this treaty, the western boundary between the United 
States and Spain was settled. A sum not exceeding five millions 
of dollars is to be paid by the United States out of the proceeds of 
sales of lands in Florida, or in stock, or money, to citizens of 
the United States, on account of Spanish spoliations and injuries. 
To liquidate the claims, a board was to be constituted by the gov- 
ernment of the United States, of American citizens, to consist of 
three commissioners, who should report within three years. 

13. On the 2d of March, 1819, the government of 
the Arkansas Territory was organized by an act of 
congress. 

The earliest settlement within the limits of the territory of 
Arkansas, was made by the Chevalier de Tonte, in 1685, at the 



334 PERIOD XI. — 1817 TO 1325. 

Indian villa.ge of Arkansas, situated on the river of that name. 
Emigrants from Canada afterwards arrived, but the progress of 
settlement was slow. Upon the cession of Louisiana to tlie Uni- 
ted States, the ceded territory was divided into two parts — the 
Territory of Orleans, ^yi^^g soulli of latitude thirty degrees, and 
the District of Louisiana, comprehending all the tract of country 
between the Mississippi and the Pacific Ocean. In March, 1805. 
the latter country was denominated the Territory of Louisiana. 
In 1812, this territory was constituted a territorial government, 
by the name of the Territory of Missouri. In March, 1819, the 
inhabitants of the northern parts were formed into a distinct dis- 
trict, by the name of Missouri, and soon after the southern was 
formed into a territorial government by the name of Arkansas. 
In December, 1819,' an election for a delegate to congress was 
held for the first time. 

14. During the following summer, 1819, the president 
visited the southern section of the country, having in 
view the same great national interests, which had prompt- 
ed him in his previous tour to the north. 

In this tour the president visited Charleston, Savannah, and 
Augusta ; from this latter place he proceeded to Nashville, 
through the Cherokee nation, and thence to Louisville and Lex- 
ington, Kentucky, whence he returned to the seat of govern- 
ment early in August. 

15. On the 14th of December following, a resolution 
passed congress, admitting Alabama into the Union, on 
an equal footing with the original states. 

Alabama, though recently settled, appears to have been visited 
by Ferdinand de Soto in 1539. Some scattered settlements were 
made within the present state of Mississippi before the American 
revolution ; but Alabama continued the hunting ground of sav- 
ages until a much later period. 

After the peace of 1783, Georgia laid claim to this territory, and 
exercised jurisdiction over it until the beginning of the present 
century. In 1795, an act passed the legislature of Georgia, by 
which twenty-five millions of acres of its icestrrii territory were 
sold to companies for five hundred thousand dollars, and the pur- 
chase money vras paid into their treasury. The purchasers of 
these lands soon after sold them at advanced prices. The sale of 
the territory excited a warm opposition in Georgia, and, at a sub- 
sequent meeting of the legislature, the transaction was impeach- 
ed, on the ground of bribery, corruption, and unconstitutionality. 
The records respecting the sale were ordered to be bzimt, and the 
five hundred thousand dollars to be refunded to the purchasers. 



Monroe's administration. 335 

Those who had acquired titles of the original purchasers instituted 
suits in the federal courts. 

In 1802, however, Georgia ceded to the United States all her 
western territor}'^, for one million two hundred and fifty thousand 
dollars. On this event, the purchasers of the Yazoo land \^e- 
titioned congress for redress and compensation. After consider- 
able opposition, an act passed for reimbursing them with funded 
stock, called the Mississippi stork. In 1800, the territory which 
now forms the states of Mississippi and Alabama, was erected 
into a territorial government. In 1817, Mississippi territory was 
divided, and th<e western portion of it was authorized to form a 
state constitution. The eastern portion was then formed into a 
territorial government, and received the name of Alabama. In 
July, 1810, a convention of delegates met at Huntsville, and 
adopted a state constitution, which being approved by congress 
in December following, the state was declared to be henceforth 
one of the United States. 

IG. In the ensuing year, March 3d, 1820, Maine 
became an independent state, and a member of the Fed- 
eral Union. 

The separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts, and 
its erection into an independent state, had been frequently at- 
tempted without success. In October, 1785, a convention met at 
Portiaiid, for the purpose of considering the subject. In the suc- 
ceeding year, the question was submitted to the people of Maine, 
to be decided in town-meetings, when it was found that a ma- 
jority of freemen were against the measure. The subject was 
renewed in 1802, when a majority appeared averse to a separa- 
tion. In 1819, an act passed the general court of Massachusetts, 
for ascertaining the wishes of the people ; in conformity to which, 
a vote was taken in all the towns. A large majority were found 
in favor of a separation. A convention was called, and a consti- 
tution adopted, which being approved, Massachusetts and Maine 
amicably separated, the latter taking her proper rank, as one of 
the United States. 

17. On the 5th of March, 1821, Mr. Monroe, who 
had been re-elected to the presidency, took the usual 
oath of office. The re-election of Monroe was nearly 
unanimous. Mr. Tompkins was again elected vice- 
president. 

18. August 10th, 1821, the president, by his procla- 
mation, declared Missouri to be an independent state, 
and that it was admitted into the Federal Union. 



336 PERIOD XI.— 1817 TO 1825. 

The first permanent settlements in Missouri appear to have 
been made at St. Genevieve and New^ Bourbon, vdiicli were 
founded soon after the peace of 1GG3. [n the succeeding year, 
St. Louis, the capital of the state, was commenced. In 17()2, 
Louisiana, and Missouri of course, were secretly ceded by France 
to Spain ; but the latter did not attempt to take possession of tlie 
country until some years after. 

Missouri remained in possession of Spain, through the war of 
the revolution, until the cession of Louisiana to France, in IdOl, 
by which latter power it was ceded to the United States in 1803. 

Upon the cession of Louisiana to the Uiaited States, the dis- 
trict which now forma the Skiie of Louisiana, was separated from 
the territory, and made a distinct government, by the name of 
the Territory of Orleans. In 1811, the territory of Orleans be- 
came a state, by the name of Louisiana. The remaining part of 
the original province of Louisiana, extending to the Pacific, wag 
erected into a territorial government, and called Missouri. In 
1818-19, application was made to congress, by the people of this 
territory, to form a state constitution. A bill was accordingly 
introduced for the purpose, a provision of which forbade slavery 
or involuntary servitude. The bill, with this provision, passed ilm 
house of representatives, but was rejected in the senate, and, in 
consequence of this disagreement, tlie meaisure, for the time, 
failed. In the session of 1819-5^0, the bill was revived ; and, af- 
ter long and animated debates, a compromise was eflfected, by 
which slavery was to be tolerated in Missouri, and forbidden in 
all that pail of Louisiana, as ceded by France, lying north of 
36^ 30' north latitude, except so much as was included within 
the limits of the state. In the mean time, the people of Missouri 
had formed a state constitution. When this constitution was 
presented to congress, in 1820-21, a provision in it, which re- 
quired the legislature to pass laws '• to prevent free negroes and 
mulattoes from coming to, and settling in, the state," was stren- 
uously opposed, on the ground that it violated the rights of such 
persons of that description as were citizens of any of the United 
States. The contest occupied a great part of the session, and it 
was finally determined, by a small majority, that Missouri should 
be admitted, upon the fundamental condition, that the contested 
clause should not be construed to authorize the passage of 
any laws, excluding citizens of other states from enjoying the 
privileges to which they are entitled by the constitution of the 
United States. It was also provided, that if the legislature of 
Missouri should, by a solemn public act, previously to the 4tli 
Monday of November, 1821, declare the assent of the state to 
this fundamental condition, the president should issue his procla- 
mation, declaring the admission complete. On the 24th of June, 
182i,tiiie lecrislature of Missouri assented to the fuiulauxental 



MONROE S ADMINISTRATION. 337 

condition ; and, on the 10th of August following, the president's 
proclamation was issued, declaring the admission complete.* 

19. The first session of the seventeenth congress 
commenced on the third of December. The affairs of 
the nation were generally prosperous, and there seemed 
to be no obstacle in the way of wise and prudent meas- 
ures. A spirit of jealousy, however, obtruded itself 
upon their deliberations, by which some beneficial 
measures were defeated, and the business of the session 
was unnecessarily delayed and neglected. Several acts 
of importance, however, were passed, concerning navi- 
gation and commerce ; relieving still further the indi- 
gent veterans of the revolution ; and fixing the ratio 
between population and representation, at one repre- 
sentative for every forty thousand inhabitants. 

The constitution has not limited the number, but has only 
provided that no more than one shall be sent for thirty thousand 
inhabitants. - Public opinion seems generally to have decided 
that a numerous representation is an evil, by which not only the 
business of the nation is neglected in the conflicts of individual 
opinions, but the people are subjected to an unnecessary ex 
pense. The congress that signed the Declaration of Independ 
ence consisted but of fifty-six members ; and no deliberative 
assembly excelled them in industry and public virtue. The con- 
gress that formed the confederation consisted of forty-eight ; 
that which formed the constitution consisted of only thirty- 
nine, and the first congress under that constitution, of but sixty- 
five. After the first census, the appointment being one for 
every tliirty-three thousand inhabitants, the house consisted of 
one hundred and five representatives. The same apportionment 
being continued under the second census, there were one hun- 
dred and forty-one representatives. The apportionment under 
the third census allowed one for thirty-five thousand ; and the 
house consisted of one hundred and eighty-seven members. The 
ratio fixed upon by the congress of 1822-3, was one for forty 
thousand ; and the number of representatives was two hundred 
and twelve. 

20. During the above session of congress, March 
31, 1822, a territorial government was established for 
Florida 

* American Atlais— Philadelphia. 



338 PERIOD XI. — 1817 TO 1825. 

The name of Florida was formerly given to an immense re- 
gion of country discovered by Cabot in 141)7. Tiie first visitant 
to the actual territory of Florida was Ponce de Leon, who landed 
on Easter day, 1512. Navigators from several countries visited 
it, and various European sovereigns attempted to appropriate the 
country to themselves. 

Spain, however, held possession of it until 17G3, when it was 
ceded to Great Britain. In May, 1761, Don Galvez captured 
Pensacola. and soon afterwards completed the conquest of the 
whole of West Florida, which remained in possession of Spain 
until 1783, when Great Britain relinquished both provinces of 
Florida to Spain. 

By the treaty of France, in 1803, which ceded Louisiana to 
the United States, it was declared to be ceded with the same 
extent that it had in the hands of Spain, when ceded to France. 
By virtue of this declaration, the United States claimed the 
country west of the. Perdido river, and, in 1811, took possession 
of it, except the town and fort of Mobile, which were surren- 
dered the following year. In 1814, a British expedition having 
been fitted out against the United States, from Pensacola, Gen. 
Jackson took possession of the town, but, having no authority 
to hold it, returned to Mobile. The Seminole Indians, with whom 
the United States were at war, residing partly within the limits 
of Florida, and making their incursions thence without restraint 
from the Spaniards, it became necessary to cross the territorial 
line to fchastise them. Subsequently, Gen. Jackson took posses- 
sion of Fort St. Marks and Pensacola, which the American troops 
held till November, 1818, when they were restored to Spain. In 
1819, a transfer of the whole province was made by treaty to the 
United States, and, after many vexatious delays, the treaty was 
ratified by Spain in October, 1820. and finally by the United 
States in the month of February, 1821. Possession was deliver- 
ed to Gen. Jackson, as commissioner of the United States, in 
July, 1821. 

21. In the course of the summer of 1824, an event 
occurred, which caused the highest sensations of joy 
throughout the Union. This was the arrival of the Mar- 
quis de Lafayette, the friend and ally of the Americans 
during the former war with Great Britain, and who em- 
inently contributed, by his fortune, influence, skill, and 
bravery, to achieve the glorious objects of their revolu- 
tionary struggle. 

The visit of Lafayette to the United States occupied about a 
year ; during which he visited each of the twenty-four states, 
and was every where hailed as a father. When the time ar- 



Monroe's administration. 339 

rived which he had fixed as the termination of his visit, it waa 
thought most fitting that his departure from the country should 
take place from the capital. A frigate was prepared at that 
place, and named, in compliment to him, the Brandywine, to 
transport him to his native country. 

On the 7th of September, about noon, he entered the spacious 
hall in the president's mansion, where he was addressed by the 
chief magistrate of the nation in terms manly, patriotic, and af- 
fectionate. In a similar manner Lafayette replied, concluding 
as follows : — '' God bless you, sir, and all who surround us. God 
bless the American people, each of their states, and the federal 
government. Accept this patriotic farewell of an overflowing 
heart; such will be its last throb when it ceases to beat." 

Then, taking an affectionate leave of each individual present, 
the general left the hospitable mansion of the president. He was 
attended to the vessel by the whole population of the district. 
All business was suspended, and the vast multitude which lined 
the shores, witnessed his embarkation with a deep silence, highly 
indicative of the feelings that the American people cherished 
towards Lafayette. In passing Mount Vernon, he landed to pay 
a farewell visit to the tomb of Washington, whence re-embark- 
ing, a prosperous voyage soon safely landed him on his own pa- 
ternal soil. 

It may here be added, that, during the visit of this illustrious 
general, congress passed a bill appropriating the sum of two hun- 
dred thousand dollars, and a complete township ot land, as a par- 
tial remuneration of services rendered by him during the revo- 
lutionary struggle of the country. 

22. The administration of Mr. Monroe closed on the 
3d of March. During his presidency, the country en- 
joyed a uniform state of peace and prosperity. By his 
prudent management of the national affairs, both foreign 
and domestic, he eminently contributed to the honor and 
happiness of millions, and retired from office enjoying 
the respect, and affection, and gratitude, of all who we're 
able duly to appreciate the blessings of having a wise 
ruler. 

23. The electors of a successor to Mr. Monroe hav- 
ing failed to make a choice, the election devolved on 
the house of representatives. On the 9th of February, 
1825, that body proceeded to the discharge of this duty, 
when John Quincy Adams, of Massachusetts, was elect- 
ed president of the United States, for the four years 



340 PERIOD XI.— 1817 TO 1825. 

from and after the 4th of the ensuing March. John C. 
Calhoun, of South Carolina, had been chosen vice-pres- 
ident, by the electoral colleges. 

The subject of a successor to Mr. Monroe was early introduced 
to the notice of the public, and the excitement of the several par- 
ties in the United States was both fostered and increased by the 
newspapers and public journals of the day. Besides Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Crawford, secretary of the treasury, Mr. Clay, speaker of 
the house of representatives, and Gen. Jackson, a senator, were 
candidates for the office ; each of whom had their respective 
friends in the country, and among the legislatures of the states, 
nearly all of which, by a public vote, declared in favor of some 
one of the candidates. On counting the votes of the electors, it 
appeared that 84 were in favor of Mi» Adams, 99 for Gen. Jack- 
son, 41 for Mr. Crawford, and 37 for Mr. Clay. Notwithstanding 
Gen. Jackson had the greatest number of votes from the elec- 
toral colleges, the house of representatives, voting by states, 
elected Mr. Adams. The result of the balloting was, for Mr. 
Adams, 13 states; for Mr. Jackson, 7 states; for Mr. Crawford, 
4 states. By the constitution, only the three highest on the list 
could be candidates for the office in the house of representatives. 
Mr. Clay, therefore, was not voted for; but is supposed, by his 
influence, to have determined the question in favor of Mr. Adams, 
in opposition to Mr. Crawford, who had been nominated by a 
caucus at Washington ; and to Gen. Jackson, who had received 
tlie highest vote by the electors. 



UNITED STATES. 

PERIOD XII. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR ADAMs's ADMINISTRATION. 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Adams, 
1825, to the Inauguration of Andreio Jackson, as 
President of the United States, 1829. 

Sec. 1. On the 4th of March, Mr. Adams, in the pres- 
ence of the senate, house of representatives, heads of 
department, foreign ministers, and a numerous assem- 
blage of citizens and strangers, took the oath prescribed 
by the constitution, and entered upon the duties of presi- 
dent of the United States. 

2. On the day of Mr. Adams's induction into office, 
the senate was convened by the executive, for the pur- 
pose of confirming nominations to office under the new 
administration. Henry Clay, of Kentucky, was appoint 
ed secretary of state ; Richard Rush, of Pennsylvania, 
secretary of the treasury ; and James Barbour, of Vir- 
ginia, secretary of war. 

3. About this time, a controversy arose between the 
national government and the executive of Georgia, in 
relation to certain lands held by the Creek nation, but 
which that state claimed as belonging to herself In' 
the progress of this controversy, so much warmth was 
manifested, both by Georgia and some of the neighbor- 
ing states, that much anxiety was felt by persons in dil- 

29 



342 PERIOD XII.— 1825 to 1829. 

ferent parts of the Union as to the consequences. The 
prompt and vigilant measures of the national executive, 
however, sanctioned as they ultimately were by congress, 
settled the controversy without disturbing the peace of 
the Union. 

This controversy grew out of a compact between the general 
government and the state of Georgia, in 1802. By that compact 
the United States agreed, in consideration of Georgia relinquish- 
ing her claim to the Mississippi territory, to extinguish, at the 
national expense, the Indian title to the lands occupied by them 
in Georgia, '' whenever it could be peaceably done, upon reason- 
able terms." Since making that agreement, the general govern- 
ment had extinguished the Indian title to about fifteen millions 
of acres, and had conveyed the same to the state of Georgia. 
There still remained in that state exceeding nine millions of acres, 
in possession of Indians, of, which about five millions belonged 
to the Cherokees, and the remainder to the Creek nation. 

Shortly before the termination of Mr. Monroe's administration, 
an effort had been made to effect a treaty with the Creeks for 
their portion of the above lands. The Creeks, however, having 
become more civilized, refused to alienate their territory, and 
had even passed a law making it a capital offence to sell any 
more land. No solicitations of the commissioners appointed to 
purchase their lands, could induce them to consent, and, the 
council breaking up, a majority of the chiefs took their depar- 
ture. A few, however, who thought differently, remained, and 
were induced to make a treaty, by which all the lands of the 
Creek tribes in Georgia and Alabama were ceded to the United 
States. This treaty was made the 12th of February, 1825, and was 
transmitted to the senate, and sanctioned by that body on the 3d 
of March, the last day of the session, without that examination 
of the circumstances which it would have had, had it been trans- 
mitted at an earlier period of the session. 

When the news of the ratification of this treaty arrived among 
the Creeks, it produced great excitement. M'Intosh, the leader 
and chief of the party that assented to it, and another chief, were 
killed, and the treaty rejected. 

In the mean time, the governor of Georgia, acting upon the 
assumption that the treaty was valid, made provision to have the 
lands surveyed, and distributed among the citizens by lottery. 
To the Creeks the conduct of Governor Troup was especially ob- 
noxious, and, a war being likely to be the consequence of meas 
ures pursued, the president directed Gen. Gaines to repair to 
the country of the Creeks, to give them the necessary protection, 
and directed Gov. Troup to suspend his contemplated measures 
until the meeting of congress. 



ADAMS S ADMINISTRATION. 343 

m 

KSbrts, however, continued to be made to settle this difficulty 
upon amicable terms ; and at length, after a long negotiation 
wiiJi a deputation from the Creek nation at Washington, the old 
treaty was declared to be void, and a new one formed, by which 
the Creeks were to retain all their lands in Alabama, and to re- 
ceive $217,000, and a perpetual annuity of ^20,000 for their 
Georgia territory. To the IM'Intosh party the United States 
agreed to pay $100,000, provided the party amounted to 3000 , 
and so in proportion for a smaller number. Moreover, a tract of 
land beyond the Pflississippi was to be provided for the accom- 
modation of such as wished to remove, and the expense of re- 
moval and the first year's subsistence to be borne by the United 
States. 

This treaty the senate ratified by a vote of 30 to 7. On the 
passage of the bill making appropriation to carry into effect the 
new treaty, the vote in the house of representatives stood 1G7 to 
10. To tlie passage of the bill the Georgia delegation offered a 

Erotest, which was suffered to be entered on the journal of the 
ouse by a vote of 82 to (51. 

The unanimity with which the conductof the executive in the 
settlement of tliis intricate and unpleasant controversy, was ap- 
proved by congress, was as unexpected as it was satisfactory to 
the people in every part of the country, except in the state of 
Georgia, where strong and excited feelings powerfully tended to 
prevent a fair and impartial consideration of the question. 

4. The year 1825 was characterized by a spirit of 
speculation, which manifested itself not only throughout 
the United States, but also in Europe, and which ended 
in the embarrassment and ruin of thousands both here 
and in other countries. 

The principal article of speculation was cotton, which rose, in 
a few weeks, from 6rZ. to 16d. sterling. This increase of price 
was partly owing to the small quantity then in the English mar- 
ket, but more to a spirit of commercial gambling, which had in- 
fected the whole commercial community. Coffe'C, spices, and other 
West India produce, also rose with great rapidity. Stocks, both 
public and private, exceeded all forme» prices. In a short time, 
however, the fictitious wealth which the expansion of the bubbles 
had created, suddenly disappeared, and the ruin of thousands 
followed. In England, more extensive bankruptcies occurred 
than had been known for many years, occasioning a universal 
alarm and. distrust. The public funds fell rapidly. Many of the 
most eminent banking houses stopped payment, and the minis- 
trv were called upon to devise measures for present relief to the 



344 PERIOD XII. — 1825 to 1829. 

intense pecuniary distress. The effects of these failures extend- 
ed to other countries, and, though not equal in degree, were feil 
on the continent and in the United States. 

5. On the 4th of July, 1826, occurred the 50th anni- 
versary of American independence, which was celebrated 
throughout the Union with many demonstrations of joy. 
This day, rendered memorable by the event which it 
celebrated, was made still more memorable, in the an- 
nals of American history, by the death of the two ven- 
erable ex-presidents, Adams and Jefferson. 

6. On the 4th of December, 1827, the first meeting 
of the twentieth congress commenced. The revision 
of the tariff, with a view to afford adequate protection 
to American manufactures, was by far the most interest- 
ing subject which presented itself to the deliberations 
of the legislature at this session. On the 22d of April, 
a bill for that purpose passed the house of representatives, 
and on the 13th of May, the senate, which, however, was 
by no means conformable to the wishes of the advocates 
of the protecting system. 

In liis annual report to the house, at the commencement of the 
session, the secretary of the treasury, in a labored discussion, 
maintained a system of protecting duties to be essential to the 
prosperity and independence of the nation. The subject was 
referred in tlie house to the committee on manufactures. The 
chairman of that committee was Mr. Mallory, of Vermont, an 
able and zealous advocate for the protecting system. A majority 
of the committee was opposed to it, and a bill, such as the ma- 
jority directed, was presented to the house on the 31st of Jan- 
uary In regard to woollens, the duty on the manufacture, com- 
pared to that on the raw material, ])laced the manufacturer in a 
worse situation than under the tariff of 1824, and seemed likely 
to destroy the establishments, and with them the production of 
the raw material 

Pending the discussion of this bill, meetings were held in va- 
rious parts of the United States, to express the views of different 
classes of the community upon the subject. To the principle of 
protection the south was universally opposed, and generally im- 
porting merchants throughout the country. In the east, north, 
and west, the farmers, manufacturers, and mechanics, supported 



Adams's administration. 345 

tlie principle of protection, but were opposed to many of the 
leading features of the bill. 

On the final passage of the bill, the ayes in the house were 
105, noes 94 ; in the senate, ayes 26, noes 21. To the country 
at large the measure gave little satisfaction ; and those for whose 
benefit it was professedly enacted, predicting its short continu- 
ance, slowly and cautiously adapted their business with a view 
to avail themselves of its provisions. 

7. During the year 1828, the approaching presiden- 
tial election was the all-engrossing topic of political dis- 
cussion. The two candidates were Mr. Adams and 
Gen. Jackson. Their claims to the presidency were 
urged by their respective parties by a zeal which led to 
the most unwarrantable scrutiny of private life, and an 
unjustifiable attack upon private character. The result 
of the contest was a large majority in the electoral col- 
leges for Gen. Jackson ; 178 being for him, and only 
83 for Mr. Adams. 

The administration of Mr. Adams, from its very commence- 
ment, met with a povv^erful opposition. The circumstance of his 
not having been elected by the people, united to the small ma- 
jority by which he was elected to his office in congress, was suf- 
ficient to call forth loud complaints, on the part of his opponents, 
and to justify, in their view, a more than usual watchfulness over 
his administration. Great pains were early taken to render him 
and his measures unpopular. The charge of a corrupt bargain 
between ^he president and secretary of state continued to be per- 
tinaciously adhered to, and to be republished from mouth to mouth. 
The Panama mi«ssion was Represented as a measure weak and 
injudicious, and the failure to obtain a participation in the British 
West India trade was averred to be in consequence of culpable 
mismanagement. Besides, it was charged upon his administra- 
tion, that it was wasteful and extravagant. 

Whatever might be the injustice of these accusations, and of 
a host of others, they were published abroad with the manifest 
design of preventing Mr. Adams's re-election. With what effect 
they were urged, the election of 1829 revealed. On canvassing 
the votes of the electoral colleges, it was apparent that the friends 
of Gen. Jackson had obtained as triumphant a victory, as those 
of the existing administration had experienced a mortifying 
defeat. 



29 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XIII. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR JACKSON's ADMINISTRATION. 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Jackson^ 
1829, to the Inauguration of Martin Van Buren, as 
President of the United States, 1837. 

Sec. 1. On the 4th of March, 1829, General Jackson 
took the oath to support the Constitution, as prescribed 
by that instrument, and entered upon the duties of 
President of the United States. 

2. President Jackson, immediately after his irtduction 
into office, organized his cabinet, by nominating Martin 
Van Buren, of New York, to be Secretary of State ; 
Samuel D. Tngham, of Pennsylvania, Secretary of the 
Treasury ; John H. Eaton, Secretary of War ; John 
Branch, of North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy. 
John M. Berrien, of Georgia, was nominated Attorney 
General, and William T. Barry, of Kentucky, Postmaster 
General. 

8. The condition of the United States, at this time, 
was one of almost unexampled prosperity. The coun- 
try was at peace with ail nations. The national debt 
was in a course of rapid diminution. The treasury had 



Jackson's administration. 347 

within its vaults more than five millions of dollars. 
The revenue was annually exceeding, by a large surplus, 
the demands of the Government, and the several branches 
of occupation — agriculture, commerce, and manufactures 
— were in a highly flourishing state. 

4. In his inaugural address, Gen. Jackson had ex- 
pressed a determination early to betake himielf to the 
"task of reform;'^ and soon after the adjournment of the 
senate, the promised work was commenced. Availing 
himself of the right of the Executive to fill vacancies 
occurring in the recess, shortly after the adjournment of 
the senate, he removed the principal officers of the 
treasury, the marshals and district attorneys in most of 
the eastern, middle, and western states, the revenue 
officers of the chief Atlantic ports, the greater part of 
the receivers and registers in the land office, and eflTected 
an equally radical change in the diplomatic corps. 

A great change was also made in the post-office department — 491 
postmasters being removed between the 4th of March, 1829, and the 
22d of March, 1630. 

During Gen. Washington's administration of eight years, there were 
nine removals ; of these one was a defaulter. 

In John Adams's administration of four years, there were ten remov- 
als ; one of these was a defaulter. 

In Thomas Jefferson's, of eight years, there were thiriy-nine. 

In James Madison's, of eight years, there were Jive removals ; of 
which three were defaulters. 

In James Monroe's, of eight years, there were nine removals ; of 
these, one was for dealing in slaves, (Guinea,) two for failures, one for 
insanity, one for misconduct, and one for quarrels with a foreign gov- 
ernment. 

In John Q,umcy Adams's, there were tico removals, both for cause. 

The removals made by President Jackson were strongly censured by 
theopposers of the administration. He was charged with usurping an 
authority not conferred by ihe constitution, Avhich, it was contended, 
only gave him the right to fill vacancies, either accidentally occurring, 
or caused by some official misconduct. It was further urged, that no 
preceding administration had made such radical changes ; and that 
even if such removals might be regarded as constitutional, such a pre- 
cedent was both dangerous and inexpedient. 

On the other hand, the friends of the President justified his course. 
They maintained that he was " solely invested with the right of re- 
moval ; that it was a discretionary right, for the exercise of which he 
was responsible solely to the nation ; that that power was given to enable 



348 PERIOD xm.— ISSQ to 1837. 

him, not only to reniove incumbents for delinquency or incapacity, but 
with the view of reforming- the administration of the government, and 
introducing officers of greater efficiency or sounder principles, into its 
various departments." 

^ On the assembling of congress, these changes were the subject of 
much discussion in the senate. A warm opposition was instituted by 
the minority in that body against the whole course of the executive, in 
relation to removals, l)olh on the ground of theit unconstitutionality 
and inexpediency. Many of those appointed were, however, confirmed, 
but several were rejected by strong votes. 

5. The first session of the twenty-first congress com- 
menced on the 7th of December. Andrew Stevensoa 
was elected speaker of the house of representatives. 
The principal topics embraced in the message of the 
president, related to a recommendation to amend the 
constitution in relation to the choice of president and 
vice-president — a modification of the tariff — a provision 
for the disposition of the surplus revenue, after the ex- 
tinguishment of the national debt — the assignment of a 
territory west of the Mississippi for the Indian tribes 
within the states — and a consideration of the renewal of 
the charter of the Bank of the United States. 

In respect to an amendment of the constitution, regulating the election 
of president and vice-president. Gen. Jackson said : — " The mode may 
be so regulated as to preserve to each state its present relative weight in 
the election ; and a failure in the first attempt may be provided for, by 
confining the second to a clioice between the two highest candi- 
dates. In connexion v%rith such an amendment, it would seem advisa- 
ble to limit the service of the chief magistrate to a single term, of 
either four or six years." He also expressed his conviction of the im- 
propriety of selecting members of congress for offices of trust and 
Srofit, excepting for the cabinet and judicial and diplomatic stations, un- 
er a belief that their exclusion from all appointments in the gift of the 
president, in whose election they may have been officially concerned, 
would contribute to the purity of the government. 

In respect to the disposition of the surplus revenue, whenever the 
national debt should have been extinguished, and that event would 
occur at no distant day, the president expressed his belief, that, consid- 
ering the diversity of opinion, which existed in respect to the constitu- 
tional power of congress to make appropriations for purposes of inter- 
nal improvement, the " most safe, just, and federal disposition wliich 
could be made of the surplus revenue, would be its apportionment 
among the several states, according to their ratio of representation ; 
and should this measure not be found warranted by the constitution, 



Jackson's administration. 349 

that it would be expedient to propose to the states an amendment au- 
thorizing it." 

The views ot the executive in regard to the disposal of the Indian 
tribes within the limits of the United States were presented at consid- 
erable length, and the plan, which has since been carried into eflfect, 
proposed. 

Another important subject included in the message, and one which, 
as years have succeeded, has occasioned great political dissension, was 
the subject of the renewal of the charter pf the United States Bank. 
Although several years would elapse before the existing charter would 
expire, the executive deemed it a subject of sufficient importance, thus 
early to bring it before the legislature and the people. In so doing, 
and in the terms employed, he was understood to be opposed to such 
an institution. 

6. The message of the executive excited an intense 
interest throughout the Union. This interest early 
manifested itself among the respective parties in the 
national legislature, and for months the capitol was the 
scene of a warm and spirited contest. The subjects 
which gave birth to the most spirited debates related to 
Indian affairs — the United States Bank — the tariff, and 
internal improvements. 

One of the most embarrassing subjects which fell under the cogni- 
zance of the new administration, related to the Indian tribes within the 
limits of the states already admitted into the Union ; but especially to 
the Cherokees, a powerful tribe within the limits of Georgia. This 
state laid claim to the territory occupied by the tribe ; and, encouraged 
by the views of the executive, viz., that he could not interpose to pre- 
vent a state from extending her laws over the tribes within her limits, 
authorized an intrusion upon the Indian territory for the purpose of 
surveying it, and extending her jurisdiction over it. The state laws 
■were accordingly attempted to be enforced. One George Tassel, a 
Cherokee, was arraigned for the murder of another Cherokee, tried and 
condemned. Several missionaries were warned to quit the Indian ter- 
ritory, and on refusal, were taken, and for some time imprisoned. 

The case of the missionaries, however, was at length brought before 
the supreme court of the United States. The decision of that court, 
March 30, 1832, involved the question of jurisdiction over the country 
of the Cherokees. The claims of Georgia were set aside by this deci- 
sion, as unconstitutional ; and her laws by which the Indians had been 
deprived of their rights, and the missionaries confined and imprisoned, 
were pronounced null and void. 

This decision of the supreme judicial tribunal of the United 
States was resisted by Georgia, and the missionaries continued in 
prison. 

This unpleasant controversy was at length ended by a letter ad- 

30 



350 PERIOD XIII.— 1829 TO 1837. 

dressed, January Sth, 1833, by the missionaries, to the governor of 
Georgia, in which they inlormed his excellency, that they had for- 
warded instructions to their counsel, to prosecute the case no farther. 
Upon this, January 14th, his excellency issued his proclamation remit- 
ting the further execution of the sentence, and discharging the mis- 
sionaries from prison. 

We shall only add, that on the 23d of May, 1838, a military force of 
several thousand men, under the command of General Scott, was 
assembled on the Cherokee territory, for the purpose of removing the 
nation to the territory assigned them beyond the greafriver of the west. 

Ill his message to congress the president had expressed an opinion 
against renewing the charter of the United States Bank, which would 
expire in 1836. The bank hail not applied for such rencAval, but being 
pressed on the attention of congress, it was referred to the committees 
on finance in both houses of congress for examination. 

On the 30th of April, 1830, Mr. McDuffie, the chairman of the com- 
m ttee of ways and means, in the house, made a report diametrically 
oiiposile to the recommendations of the president. 

Respecting the first proposition contained in the message, that con- 
gress had not the constitutional power to incorporate a bank, the com- 
mittee deemed that question no longer open for discussion. 

They also came to a diflerent opinion from that contained in the mes- 
sage, respecting the expediency of the measure. 

The report from the committee on finance in the senate, concurred 
with that of the house in its conclusions, and was equally decisive in 
its condemnation of the sentiments of the president. 

The effect produced in the public mind by the message was entirely 
done away, and the stock of the bank, which had fallen upon the de- 
livery of the message from 120 to 120, rose after the publication 
of these reports to 127, and finally attained the price of 130 dollars 
per share. 

In December, 1 S32, a memorial was presented to congress from the 
president and directors of the United Slates Bank for a renewal of its 
charter. Soon after, a committee was appointed by the house to in- 
vestigate the proceedings of the bank. A majority of this committee, 
adopting the views of the executive, reported against a renewal of the 
charter, principally on the ground of a violation of its charter by illegal 
transactions. A counter report was presented by the minority, in the 
conclusion of which they bore unequivocal testimony to the fidelity of 
the officers of that institution. 

On the lOih of June, the question was taken in the senate on a bill 
to incorporate the bank, which passed that body by a vote of 23 to 20. 
On the 3d of July the question was taken in the house, and the charter 
renewed by a vote of 107 to 85. On the 10th, the bill was returned by 
the president, with his objections. 

Although not unexpected to the country, the veto put upon the bill 
by the president gave great dissatisfaction to the friends of the bank 
in every section of the United States. A general disturbance of the 
currency was predicted as the necessary consequence. " We have ar- 
rived at a new epoch," said one of the advocates of the bank on the 
floor of the senate. '• We are entering on experiments with tlie gov- 



JACKS0>{'S ADMINISTRATION. 851 

emment and the constitution of the country, hitherto untried, and of 
fearful and appalling aspect." 

Another subject of importance introduced in the message respected 
internal improvements. During the administration of Washington and 
the elder Adams, no application Avas made of the public revenue to in- 
ternal improvements, the government having as many demands 
upon the treasury, growing out of debts incurred in the revolu- 
tion, as could be met. But during the presidency of Mr. Jef- 
ferson, the internal improvement policy was begun, by an act passed 
May 1st, r8l)2, making appropriations for opening roads in the north- 
west territory. This was followed by other similar appropriations. 
During Mr. Madison's administration, the appropriations were in- 
creased, and still further augmented whiJe Mr. Monroe was in office. 
On the accession of Mr. Adams, the policy was still pursued ; and as he 
was understood to give a still more liberal construction of tbe constitu- 
tion on this subject, tnore appropriations were made for the above object, 
during his administration, than during those of all his predecessors. 

Gen. Jackson, while holding a seat in the senate of the United 
States, had voted with the friends of internal improvement. It was 
therefore anticipated by a numerous class in the United States, and 
among them were some of his friends, that he would follow out the 
policy of his predecessors. In his message to congress, however, he 
nrsi manifested an unwillingness to the exercise of this power by con- 
gress. As the session advanced it became more and more apparent 
that he was hostile to all appropriations to the above object. And, 
finally, all doubt was ended, by his return of several bills appropriating 
money for internal improvements, with objections. 

A decided majority in congress being in favor of such appropriations, 
notwithstanding the views of the executive, several bills were intro- 
duced into the house, similar to those which the president had rejected, 
and were passed by both houses by decided majorities. 

The president and his cabinet thus found themselves compelled to 
yield to public opinion expressed in congress, and although their deter- 
mination checked the action of the federal government in relation to 
internal improvements, still they hatl surrendered every principle upon 
which their opposition to the system could be founded. 

By these decisive votes in congress, this policy was considered as 
firmly established, and nothing was required to carry it into effect with 
moderation and discretion, but the harmonious co-operation between 
the different branches of the government. 

7. Early in the spring of 1831, an event occurred, 
which produced no inconsiderable surprise and curiosity 
throug-hout the country : this was the announcement in 
the official journal at the seat of government, (April 20, 
1831,) that the cabinet ministers of the president had 
resigned. A new cabinet was organized during the 
summer, constituted as follows : Edward Livingston, 



352 PERIOD XIII.— 1829 to 1837. 

of Louisiana, Secretary of State ; Louis McLane, of Del- 
aware, Secretary of the Treasury ; Lewis Cass, of Ohio, 
Secretary of War; Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire, 
Secretary of the Navy ; Roger B. Taney, of Maryland, 
Attorney General. 

The cause of this dissolution in the cabinet was want of harmony in 
the administration ; and this want of harmonj^, according to a communi- 
cation of the attorney general to the public, was a determination to 
compel the families of the dismissed members to associate with the 
wife of the secretary of war. 

8. On the 4th of July, a treaty, adjusting the claims 
of American citizens on France for spoliations during 
the reign of Napoleon, was signed by Mr. Rives and 
Sebastiani, at Paris, and the ratifications in due time 
were exchanged between the two governments. 

By this treaty, the French government agreed to pay to the United 
States, in complete satisfaction of all claims of the citizens of the Uni- 
ted States, for seizures, captures, sequestrations, or destruction of their 
vessels, cargoes, or other property, 25,000,000 francs, in six equal 
annual instalments. The government of the United States, on their 
part, agreed to pay 1,500,000 francs to the government of France, in 
satisfaction of all claims in behalf of France, its citizens, or the royal 
treasury, either for ancient supplies or accounts, or for unlawful seiz- 
ures, captures, detentions, arrests, or destruction of French vessels, car- 
goes, or oth,er property, in six annual instalments, to be reserved out of 
the instalments payable to the United States : interest, at the rate of 4 
percent., is to be allowed on the above sums, from the exchange of the 
ratifications. 

The sum thus stipulated to be paid by France did not amount to 
more than one third of the just claims of the citizens of the United 
States, but their liquidation, even upon terms comparatively unfavor- 
able, was so desirable, that the conclusion of this treaty was hailed by 
all parties. See Sec. 14, 16. 

9. During the spring of 1832, hostilities were com- 
menced by the Sac and Fox Indians on the w^estern bor- 
ders of the United States, under the celebrated chief, 
Black Hawk. This aggression created a necessity for 
the interposition of the executive, w^ho ordered a portion 
of the troops, under Generals Scott and Atkinson, to- 
gether with a detachment of militia from the state of 
Illinois, into the field. After a harassing warfare, pro- 



JACKSON^S ADMINISTRATION, 253 

longed by the nature of the country, and the difficulty 
of procuring subsistence, the Indians were defeated, and 
Black Hawk and the Prophet were taken prisoners. 

10. The second session of the twenty-second congress 
commenced on the third of December, 1832. In his 
message, the president, having alluded in brief but 
appropriate terms to the cholera, which had been spread- 
ing its desolations over portions of the United States, 
represented the relations of the country with foreign 
powers in a state of amity. The finances of she country 
were in a prosperous state ; the national debt, on the 
first of January, 1833, v/ould be reduced to about seven 
millions ; doubts were expressed as to the safety of the 
deposits in the United States Bank, and a decision of 
the question as to the disposal of public lands was urged. 

11. The message of the president on the 4th of De- 
cember, was followed, (December 10,) by a proclamation, 
addressed to the citizens of the Un'ited Slates, in rela- 
tion to the hostile attitude of South Carolina to the 
Union, in consequence of the acts of congress of 29th 
May, 1828, and of 14th of July, 1833, altering and 
amending the several acts imposing duties on imports — 
which acts had, in a convention of the above state, held 
at Columbia, November 24, been pronounced to be un- 
constitutional, and therefore void, and of no binding 
force within the limits of that state. This proclamation 
was an able document, furnishing a sound exposition of 
the principles and powers of the government, and breath- 
ing a spirit of patriotic devotion to the constitution, 
and union of the states. It evinced a fixed determina- 
tion to maintain the laws, and to resist all treasonable 
and disorganizing measures. Happily, this firmness of 
the executive, with subsequent conciliatory measures of 
congress, saved the Union. 

For a considerable period, the southern states, with the exception of 
South Carolina, have been considered opposed to the exercise of power 
by the federal government. This state, although voting with the adja- 

80* 



854 PEKioD XIII.— 1S29 TO 1837. 

cent states on all local, and on most national questions, had on some 
occasions, as in 1816, been I'oreniost in asserliiig the right ol" congress 
to legislate on certain disputed points. .Aaioiig these were the Nulijecls 
of Internal Improvement, the United States Bank, and the Tariff. A 
change of opinion had now taken place there, and it began to go beyond 
any of the advocates ol state rights, in its assertion of state sovereign- 
ly. A vehement opposition to the tariff, both in 1S24 and on the sub- 
sequent modification in 1623, had been led by the talented delegation 
from South Carolina in congress ; and when ihey were defeated in the 
hails of legislation, with characteristic energy they renewed their 
efiorts to overturn the system, and to render it unpopular with the 
people. 

In the latter part of Novemlxir, 1S32, a state convention assembled 
at Columbia, which, at length, passed an ordioanoe, by which they 
declared: '-That the several acts and parts of acts of the congress 
of the United States, purporting to be laws for the imposing of duties 
and imposts on the imporlation of foreign commodities, and now hav- 
ing actual operation and effect within the United States, and more 
especially" two acts for the same purposes passed on the 29th of May, 
1828, and on the 14ih of .July, 1832, "are unauthorized by the consti- 
tution of the United States, and violate the true meaning and intent 
thereof, and are null and void, and no law," nor binding on the citi- 
zens of that state or its officecs ; and by the said ordinance it is further 
declared to be "unlawful for any of the constituted authorities of the 
state, or the United States, to enforce the payment of the duties im- 
posed by the said acts within the same state', and that it is the duty 
of the legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary to give full 
effect to the said ordinance." 

This tone of menace naturally aroused the executive to correspond- 
ing energy and decision. He immediately issued a proclamation, 
which will long be admired for its sound and able exposition of the 
principles of tiie constitution — for its breathings of a spirit of exalted 
patriotism— and its eloquent appeal to Carolina herself, and to the 
other states which were perhaps ready to join her standard, to remem- 
ber the toil and blood which American liberty cqst — the sacredness of 
the constitution — and the importance of the preservation of the 
Union. 

While the proclamation of the president was commended by most of 
the states of the Union as an able and judicious document, it served to in- 
crease rather than allay the excited citizens of South Carolina. The leg- 
islature of that state being in session, authorized and instructed her gov- 
ernor to issue a counter proclamation, which he did on the 20th of De- 
cember, in which, in consonance with the legislative resolutions, he 
" solemnly warned the citizens of South Carolina against all attempts to 
seduce them from their primary allegiance to the state." "I charge 
you," said he, " to be faithful to your duty, as citizens of South Caro- 
lina, and earnestly exhort you to disregard those ' vain measures' of 
military force, which, if tiie president, in violation of all his constitu- 
tional obligations, and your most sacred rights, should be tempted to 
employ, it would become your solemn duty, at all hazards, to resist." 

On the same day general orders were issued by authoiity of the leg- 



Jackson's administration. 355 

islature, to raise volunteers, either in companies, troops, battalions, 
squadrons, &c., for the purpose of repelling invasion and in support of 
the rights of the state; 

Under a deep sense of the importance of energy befitting the emer- 
gency, the president, January 16th, 1833, addressed a message to con- 
gress, in which, after giving a history of proceedings both on the part 
of Carolina and the general government, he recommended the adoption 
of such measures as .would clothe the executive with competent power 
to suppress the risen spirit of insubordination — sustain the public offi- 
cers in the discharge of their duties — and give power to the courts to 
carry out their constitutional decisions. 

While the storm was apparently thus gathering strength, and was 
ready to burst in still greater violence upon the nation, two events oc- 
curred which served to allay it, and indeed were the harbingers of 
comparative peace and amity. 

The first oi" these was an afiectionate appeal of the general assembly 
of Virginia to the patriotism and magnanimity of South Carolina, ex- 
pressed in a preamble and resolutions, as honorable to the " Ancient 
Dominion" as any act of her life, and worthy of her in the days of 
Patrick Henry and his contemporaries. 

The otiier e'vent was the passage of a bill, introduced by Mr. Clay, 
termed the "compromise bill" — which was designed as an act of pa- 
cification between the north and south — a middle course between ex- 
tremes ; and although not entirely satisfactory perhaps to either parly, 
it was accepted by both, and was the means, under Providence, of stay- 
ing the risen storm, 

A convention was soon after held in South Carolina, which, in vievr 
of the appeal of Virginia, and the modification of the tariff, proceeded 
to recommend the following ordinance : — 

"Whereas, the congress of the United States, by an act recently 
passed, has made such a reduction and modification of the duties upon 
foreign imports, as amounts suiisiantially to an ultimate reduction of 
the duties to the revenue standard, and that no higher duties shall be 
made than may be necessary to del'ray the expenditures of the govern- 
ment ; 

" It is therefore ordained and declared, That the ordinance entitled 
• An ordinance to nullify certain acts of the congress of the United 
States, purporting to be laws laying duties on the importation of for- 
eign commodities,' and all acts passed in pursuance thereof, be hence- 
forth deemed and held to have no force or efiect; provided that the act en- 
titled ' An act further to amend the militia laws of this state,' passed on 
the 20th day of December, 1S32,. shall remain in force until it shall be 
repealed or modified by the legislature." 

It is unnecessary to pursue this topic further. It was a season 
of peril through which we passed. But the God of our fathers 
imparted energy and wisdom to our rulers, and the violence of civil 
discord was allayed, and harmony and }>eace were restored. 

12. On the 4th day of March, 1833, General Jackson, 
who had been re-elected president of the United States 



^m PERIOD XIII.— 1829 TO 1837. 

for four years ensuing, entered upon his second term. 
At the same time, Martin Van Buren took the oath pre- 
scribed, as vice-president. 

Gen. Jackson was re-elected to the presidency by a large majority 
of the electorol votes. For Andrew Jackson, 219; for Henry Clay, 
49; for John Floyd, 11; for William Wirt, 7.- The vote for vice- 
president was as follows: for Martin Van Buren, 189; for John Sar- 
geant, 49 ; for Amos EUmaker, 7 ; for Henry Lee, II. 

13. During the summer of 1833, the president, accom- 
panied by the vice-president, and several of the secreta- 
ries, visited New England by the way of Philadelphia 
and New York, and having proceeded as far as Concord 
New Hampshire, returned again to the seat of govern- 
ment. 

In this tour, the president was received, in every place through 
which he passed, with those demonstrations of respect and attention, 
which are ever due to the chief magistrate of a free and enlightened 
people. Whatever opinions were entertained of his adniinistraiion by 
his political opponents, they united in every suital)le expression of 
honor to the man whom the suffrages of a majority had elevated to the 
highest office in the nation. The president's tour commenced on the 
6th of June, and was suddenly terminated in the beginning of July — 
his return to Washington being hastened, as was said, by the state of 
his health, which had become too feeble to endure the fatigue inci- 
^ntal to such an expedition. 

14. The first session of the twenty-third congress 
commenced on the 2d of December. Andrew Steven- 
son was elected speaker. The two prominent topics of 
the president's message related to the failure of France 
to fulfil the stipulations of the convention on the 4th of 
July, 1831 — and the removal from the Bank of the 
United States, of the government funds deposited in that 
institution. 

By the above convention, it was stipulated that the sum, as indem- 
nity for French spoliations, payable to tha United States, should be 
paid at Paris in six annual instalments into the hands of an author- 
ized agent of the government of the United States — the first instal- 
ment to be paid February 2, 1S33. A bill had been drawn at Wash- 
ington and presented March 23, but was refused to be paid by the 



Jackson's administration. 357 

Fretich rainister, on the ground that no appropriation had been made 
by the French chambers. . In view of this delay the president informed 
congress tliat he had despatched a minister plenipotentiary to Prance 
to press upon the government tlie fulfilment, of its stipulations. 

The removal of the government funds or "deposits" from the 
United States Bank, which had now been effected, was largely des- 
canted upon in the message, as an act of ike treasurer, not only justi- 
tied by the executive, but recommended and urged by that officer. 
" Since the last adjournment of congress, the secretary of the treasury," 
observed the president, " has directed the money of the United States 
to be deposited iu certain state banks designated by him, and he will 
inimediately lay before you his reasons for this direction. I concur 
with him entirely in the view he has taken of the subject. I urged 
■upon the department the propriety of taking that step." 

In his message to congress, the president had spoken of the removal 
■of the deposits, as an act of the secretary of the treasury, which he 
had indeed recommended and urged — but as his (the secretary's) act. 
By a portion of the people the executive was charged with an unfair 
•statement on the subject ; that in fact this removal was a measure 
which had ariginated with the executive, and had grown out of his 
jealousy of and hostility to the bank. It was a measure which the 
president had brought before his cabinet, and to its members in coun- 
cil had said ; " The president begs his cabinet to consider the proposed 
measure as his, in the support of'which he shall require no one of them 
to make a sacrifice of opinion or principle. Its responsibility has beea 
assumed after the most mature deliberation." It was therefore, said 
the opponents of the measure, the presidents act — the secretary being 
t)Ut an instrument of the executive, subject to his will, inasmuch as 
he was liable to be removed in case of refusal. And in confirmation 
of this view, the sudden dismission of Mr. Duane was appealed to, as 
,l)y that gentleman the public were informed, under his own signature, 
that on his refusal to direct a removal of the deposits, he was in- 
formed by the president that his services as treasurer were no longer 
desired ; and his place v^ras supplied by one (Mr. Taney) who acted ia 
subserviency to the wishes of the executive. Hence the president was 
ioudiy censured for his unwarrantable and even dangerous assumption 
of power. 

The subject early attracted the attention of congress ; and through- 
out the country great excitement prevailed. Confidence in the pecu- 
niary institutions of the country immediately began to be shaken, and 
predictions of still greater derangement and distress were rife in all 
the land. 

At a subsequent period of the session, Mr. Clay Submitted the fol- 
lowing resolutions : — 

Resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the United 
States of America, in congress assembled, That the reasons communi- 
cated by the secretary of the treasury in his report to congress on the 
4th December, 1833, for the removal of the deposits of the money of 
the United States, from the bank of the United States and its branches, 
are insuflScient and unsatisfactory ; 

Resolved, therefore, That all deposits of the money of the United 
States which may accrue or be received on and after the. 1st day of 



ai58 PERIOD xiiL— 1829 TO 1837. 

July, 1834, shall be made»with the bank of the United States and its 
branches, in conformity with the provisions of the act, entitled "An 
act to incorporate the subscri^ters lOvthe bank of the United States," 
approved the 10th of April, IS 16. 

On the 9th of June these resoltjtinns were adopted liy the senate — 
the first by a vote of 29 to IG; the second by a vote of 2S to 16. 

Shorlly'before the close of the session a hill was urged through the 
house of representatives for regulating the de})osit of the public money 
in certain local banks. Tliis I. ill having been sent to the senate, was 
submitted to the committee on finance, v/ho, instead of advising its 
passage, recommended that the deposits be introsted to the hank of' 
the United States as formerly. 

15. On the 21st of Jtme the death of the illustrious 
La Fayette was announced to congress in a message 
from the president. 

La Fayette died at his residence. La Grange, in France, on the 20th 
of May. The president, in his message, annoancing the melancholy 
event, spoke of him in terms of appropriate honor— of his character— 
his love of liberty — his sacrifices in the cause of the Americans — his 
efforts for the good of mankind. 

A joint select committee of boih hoases reported a series of appro- 
priate resolutions, among v/hich one went to request the president to 
address a letter of condolence to liis surviving family — and another to 
appoint John Q,uincy Adams to deliver, at the next se^;sion of congress, 
an oration on the life and character of this illastrious man. 

16. The second session of the twenty-third congress 
commenced on the 1st of December, 1834. In his mes- 
sage the president represented the foreign relations of 
the country to be pacific, except in respect to France, 
who still continued to persevere in her. omission to 
satisfy the conceded claiiTis of our citizens. The other 
prominent subjects regarded the United States Bank — 
the regulation of the deposits — and the impolicy and 
unconstitutionality of appropriations for internal im- 
provements. 

The conduct of France towards the United Stales, in neglecting tha 
payment of a just and already cillowed deht, was generally censured 
in the United States. The president informed comzress " that in his 
opinion, the United States ought to insist on a prompt execution of the 
treaty, and should an appropriation not he made by the French cham- 
bers at their next session, prompt mensures would not only be most 
honorable and ju5t, but have the hest eJ!i?ct on our national character."' 
This recommendation of the president was considered by some, in its 



JACKSON S ADMINISTRATION. 



359 



practical effects, as a declaration of war, and especially as he recommend- 
ed, in case of longer neglect, a law authorizing reprisals upon French 
property. But the expediency of reprisals upon French property, 
recommended by the president, or indeed of any immediate action on 
the part of the national government, was considered by many extremely 
doubtful ; and the senate, on tlie 14th Jan . , by an unanimous vote, stated 
this to be its opinion in a resolution to that effect. A similar resolu- 
tion was adopted liy the house. 

The prospect of a serious collision between these two nations, for a 
time so dark, at le^igth passed away. In 1835, the president an- 
nounced that Frarice had aclvnowleriged the validity of our claims 
as liquidated by the treaty of 1831, although payment was still with- 
held. 

In 1836, the president announced that the appropriations havingbeen 
made, our diplomatic relations with France had been resumed, and 
promised to be mutually beneficial to the two countries. 

The long cherished hostility of the president to the bank of the 
United States caused him to give it a long notice in his message. " It 
has," says he, " become the scourge of the people. Its interference to 
postpone the payment of a portion of the national debt, that it might 
retain the public money appropriated for that purpose, to strengthen it 
in a political contest — the extraordinary ext<?nsion and contraction of 
its accommodations to the community — its corrupt and jiartisan loans 
— its exclusion of the public directors from a knowledge of its most 
im.portant proceedings — the unlimited authority conferred on the presi- 
dent to expend its funds in hiring writers, and'procuring the execution 
of printing, and the use made of that authority — the retention of the 
pension money and books after the selection of new agents — the 
groundless claim to heavy damages, in consequence of the protest of a 
bill drawn on the French government, have, through various channels, 
been laid }>efore congress." 

The public pecuniary and mercantile distress was charged by the pres- 
ident to the management of the bank, and the importance of separation 
between this institution and the government was strongly urged. The at- 
tention of congress was earnestly invited to the regulation of the deposits 
in the stat€ banks by law. The suhject of internal improvements was 
again discussed, and the inexpediency and unconstitutionality of ap- 
propriations therefor, without an amendment of the constitution, again 
mamtained. 

17. The first session of the twenty-fourth congress 
commenced on the 7th of December, 1835. James K. 
Polk was elected speaker of the house of represei^tatives. 

The most important act of this session was the " deposit and distri- 
bution act" — or a law requiring and regulating the deposit of the 
money of the United States with the banks of the several states, and. 
the distribution of the surplus revenue among the several states. In 
the senate, the vote on the engrossment of this bill was, yeas, 40 j 
nays, 6. In the house, yeas, 163 ; nays, 44. 



360 PERIOD XIII.— 1829 TO 1837. 

IS. On the second of April, 1836, an act passed con- 
gress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin. 

This territory is bounded i>onh by lake Superior and the territorial 
line of the United States; west Ly the Mississippi river; south by 
Illinois ; east by lake Michigan. 

19. On the 15th of June, 1836, a resolution passed' 
congress admitting Arkansas into the Union on an equal' 
footing with the original states. On the same day, a 
resolution passed congress admitting Michigan into the 
Union under certain conditions. [See period xi., sec. 13.], 

The condition upon Avhicb Michigan wa;s to be received into the 
Union was an assent of a convention of delegates, to be elected by the 
people of said state, to the boundaries of saiid stale, as described in the 
act of admission. A controversy had arisen between Ohio and Michi- 

fan as to the boundary line between those states, whkh was settled 
y the above act, and 'to this the assent of Michigan was required. 
This assent was sut'sequently given, and her admission followed oa 
that assent, 

20. On the 1 Ith of July was issued from the treasury 
department^ an important circular in relation to the 
funds which should be reeeived in payment for public 
lands. 

By this circular the receivers of public money were instructed, after 
the loth day of August next ensuing, to receive in payment of the pub- 
lic lands nothing except what is directed by the existing laws, viz.,, 
gold and silver, and in the proper places, Virginia land scrip. Iq 
order to secure the faithful execution of these instructions, all receiv- 
ers were strictly prohibited from accepting for land sold, any draft, 
certificate, or other evidence of money or deposit, though for specie, 
unless sis^ned by the treasurer of the United States, in conformity to the 
act of April 24, 1820. 

21. The second session of the twenty-fourth congTess 
commenced on the 5th of December, 1836. 

On the following day, the president transmitted his last annual mes- 
sage — before another session, he would have retired once more to pri- 
Tate life. 

The foreign relations of the country continued in an amicable state. 

The* deposit, or distribution act, passed by the preceding congress, 
had received, he said, his " reluctant approval," and " the consequences 
apprehended from it had been measurably realised.-" It was an aeS 



Jackson's administration. 361 

merely for the deposit of the surplus moneys of the United States in 
the state treasuries, for safe keeping, until wanted for the service of 
the general goTernment — but it had been spoken of as a gift — would 
be so considered — and might be so used. 

Contrary to the views of a large portion of the citizens of the United 
States, the president represented the "specie circular" of the 11th of 
July, as producing " many salutary consequences." " It is confidently 
believed," said he, " that the country will find in the motives which, 
induced that order, and the happy consequences which will have en- 
sued, much to commend and nothing to condemn." In opposition to 
this opinion of the president, there were those who attrit)Uted to the 
operation of that circular, a great part of the pecuniary embarrassment 
and disturbance of the currency, which afiiicted the country. 

The management of the government funds by the state banks was 
represented to be safe and judicious. "Experience continues to 
realize," said he, "the expectations entertained as to the capacity of 
the state banks to perform the duties of fiscal agents for the govern- 
ment, at the time of the removal of the deposits. It was alleged by 
the advocates of the Bank of the United States that the state banks, 
whatever might be the regulations of the treasury department, could not 
make the transfers required by the government, or negotiate the domes- 
tic exchanges of the government. It is now well ascertained that the 
real domestic exchanges performed, through discounts, by the United 
States Bank and its twenty-five branches, were at least one third less 
than those of the deposit banks, for an equal period of time ; and if a 
comparison be instituted betv/een the amount of service rendered by 
these institutions, on the broader basis which has been used by the 
advocates of the United States Bank, in estimating what they con- 
sider the domestic exchanges transacted by it, the result will be still 
more favorable to the deposit banks." 

22. On the 14th of Jan., 1S37. the " Expunging 
Resolution," so called, originally introduced into the 
senate, March IS, 1S36, by Mr. Benton, of Missouri, 
was adopted by the senate. 

The resolution, which, from the time of its adoption, March 28th, 
1S34, censuring the president for removing Mr. Duane, and assuming 
power over the public revenue not conferred by the constitution, had. 
given Gen. Jackson and his friends such serious annoyance, and against 
which he had entered his protest, Mr. Benton had 'until now vainly 
endeavored to blot out from the senate's journal. But, at length, he 
succeeded by a small majority; and late at night, on the 16lh of Jan., 
1837, the secretary of the senate, by order, brought the journal of 
1833-4 into the senate chamber, and spread open the condemned page 
upon the table. He then proceeded to draw black lines on the four 
sides of the recorded resolution, and on the face of it w^rote — " Ex' 
punned by order of the senate^ Jan. 1 6, 1837." Against this proceeding, 
Daniel Webster, in behalf of himself and colleague, read a solemn 
protest. 

31 



362 PERIOD XIII.— 1829 to 1837. 

23. Feb. 8th, 1837, the votes for president and vice- 
president were counted, and Martin Van Biiren, of New 
York, was declared to be elected to the former office for 
four years from the 4th of March, 1837, and Richard M. 
Johnson, of Virginia, to the latter, for the same period, 
and from the same date. 

The whole number of votes given for Mr. Van Buren, including 
Michigan, were 170; for William Henry Harrison, 73; Hugh Lawson 
White, 26; Daniel Webster, 14; William P. Mangum, 11. Majority 
for Mr. Van Buren, if the votes of Michigan be counted, 148 ; if not 
counted, 146. 

The votes given for Richard M. Johnson as vice-president, including 
Michigan, 147 ; for Francis Granger, 77 ; John Tyler, 47; William 
Smith, 23. 

According to this vote, no candidate was elected by the electors to 
the office of vice-president. Hence, it devolved upon the senate to 
elect from the two highest on the list of electoral votes, viz., Richard 
M. Johnson and Francis Granger. On the following day, the former 
was elected by that body. 

24. In drawing this sketch of the administration of 
Gen. Jackson to a close — and a sketch only was design- 
ed — it may be remarked, that the events of his adminis- 
tration are not yet ripe for the regular historian. The 
day when a fair exhibition of his government can be 
given is still distant. '• His measures," as a writer re- 
marks, " have not produced their full results. His pol- 
icy has not yet compassed their full development." The 
author has, therefore, confined himself chiefly to a nar- 
ration of facts and events, leaving it for the future histo- 
rian to chronicle the decision of the nation, in respect to 
the merits or demerits of a ruler, whose administration, 
in its progress, has been the subject of loud praise and 
deep-toned censure — the former by friends, the latter by 
opposers. 



UNITED STATES. 



PERIOD XIY. 

DISTINGUISHED FOR VAN BUREN's ADMINISTRATION. 

Extending from the Inauguration of President Van 
Buren, 1837, to the Inauguration of William Henry 
Harrison^ as President of the United States, 1841. 

Sec. 1. The inauguration of Mr. Van Buren, as 
president of the United States, took place on the 4th of 
March, 1837, in accordance with the forms prescribed 
by the constitution, and in the presence of an immense 
multitude, gathered from all quarters of the country to 
witness the imposing ceremony. 

The inaui^ural address of Mr. Van Buren disappointed both friends 
and foes. The temper of it was conceded, even by his opposers, to be 
good, and its entire exemption from invidious comparisons and allu- 
sions, was worthy of all commendation. It was even less partisan, 
perhaps, than the political friends of the new president expected or de- 
sired ; but to his opponents it induced the hope, that the vindictive 
strife which had long harassed the country, would be followed by a 
more tolerant policy. 

By way of conciliating; the south, Mr. Van Buren distinctly stated, 
that no bill, which had for its object the abolition of slavery in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, against the wishes of the slaveholding states, would 
receive his sanction, during his presidential career. 

On yie day of inauguration, a long and elaborate _/aretoeZZ address by 
Gen. Jackson to the people of the United Stales, was circulated in 
Washington, and thence was extensively spread tiirough the country. 



364 PERIOD XIV.— 1837 to 184L 

"My public life," said he, "has been a long one, and I cannot hope 
that it has, at all times, been free from errors. But I have the conso- 
lation of knowing, that if mistakes have been committed, they have 
not seriously injured the country; and at the moment when I surrender 
my last public trust, / lemie this great people prosperous and happy; 
and in the full enjoyment of liberty arid peace, and honored and re- 
spected by every nation of the world." 

In opposition to these declarations, the opposers of his administration 
averred, that the course which he had pursued in relation to the cur- 
rency ; his uncompromising hostility to the Bank of the United States; 
his removal of the national deposits from that institution — the influence 
of the executive, which had in every possible way been brought to bear 
upon it, in consequence of which a renewal of its charter had been de- 
feated, and public confidence as to the management of it had become 
weakened — and the paper system of the country, and even a mixed cur- 
rency, had been decried — these measures, in their view, had caused a 
derangement of the currency, had destroyed confidence, and paralyzed 
trade and commerce ; and hence they were not prepared to admit that 
the country was either prosperous or happy. 

2. The new senate, according to usage, assembled in 
their chamber, at Washington, on the day succeeding the 
inauguration, and confirmed in their executive sittings 
the nominations made by Mr. Van Buren of the follow- 
ing gentlemen to compose his cabinet; viz., John For- 
syth, Secretary of State ; Levi Woodburj'-, Secretary of 
the Treasury ; Joel R. Poinsett, Secretary of War ; 
Mahlon Dickerson, Secretary of the Navy ; Benjamin 
F. Butler, Attorney General. 

8. In less than a month after the adjournment of 
congress, the monetary state of the country, deranged 
as it had been, became visibly worse. The pressure in 
New York, the commercial metropolis of the country, 
became so severe, that immediate measures were deem- 
ed essential to prevent a general failure of the mercan- 
tile interest. In this crisis, it was proposed to apply to 
the United States Bank for aid ; and, with this object in 
view, a deputation of merchants proceeded to Philadel- 
phia, and upon their representations of the existing and 
growing pressure, the United States Bank, greatly to its 
credit, furnished important, but, as it resulted, only tem- 
porary aid. 



VAN euren's administration. 365 

By the 8th of April, so rapidly had the work of mercantile ruin pro- 
gressed, that, according to a respectable journal, the failures in the city 
of New York were as follows, omitting the notice of hundreds of a 
more unimportant character. 

5 Foreign and Exchange Brokers, .... $15,000,000 

30 Dry Goods jobbers, 15,000,000 

16 Commission Shoe and Clothing Houses, . . 7,000,000 
28 Real Estate speculators, 20,000,000 

8 Stock Brokers, 1,000,000 

6 Miscellaneous, 2,500,000 

$60,500,000 
At this time the sale of merchants' notes, even of the most consider- 
able and responsible, was at an end. No one dared trust his neighbor. 
Men who had been living in affluence, and who supposed themselves 
worth an independent fortune, were distressed, and not a few of them, 
who retired in comparative ease and comfort at night, awoke banlirupt, 
and without a home, in the morning. 

4. At length, on the 25th of April, a very numerously 
attended meeting of citizens of New York was held, at 
which a committee of fifty was appointed to proceed to 
Washington, to lay their grievances, and those of the 
country, before the executive, and to solicit his inter- 
vention for such relief as might be within his power ; 
particularly that he would rescind the "specie circular;" 
that collectors of the revenue, in all the ports of the 
United States, might be instructed not to commence suit 
upon any bond, -which may lie over for non-payment, 
until after the first day of January next ; and, finally, 
that the president would call an extra session of con- 
gress at an early day, in order that the representatives 
of the nation might have an opportunity to devise suita- 
ble remedies for the unprecedented and alarming embar- 
rassments of the country. 

Pursuant to their appointment, this committee proceeded to Wash- 
ington, and on the .3d of May made known by letter to the president 
their presence in the city, and their object. 

On the following day, the president replied, that in a few days a de- 
finite reply would be given to the first request of the committee, viz., 
that the government would instruct collectors not to put bonds in suit, 
&c. In respect to a repeal of the " specie circular," he had not been 
able to satisfy himself that it was his duty to rescind it ; and, lastly, he 
could not see sufficient reasons to justify him in convening congress at 
an earlier day than that appointed by the constitution. 

31 ^ 



366 PERIOD XIV.— 1837 to 1841. 

With this answer of the president, the committee returned to New 
York, where, on Monday evening, the 8th, to an assembled multitude 
of anxious and interested citizens, they were obliged to make known 
the failure of their commission, in respect to the two most important 
objects of it. 

Subsequently, the request of the citizens, through the committee, in 
relation to the postponement of the collection of merchants' bonds, was 
acceded to. This afforded sensible relief in numerous cases where reai 
embarrassment existed. 

5. Two days after the report of the above committee", 
the banks of the city of New York, without exception, 
ceased to redeem their 7iotes in specie. This exciting and 
depressing intelligence travelled with unwonted speed, 
producing in its progress, in all parts of the country, a 
similar suspension on the part of the banks. 

To the country, generally, this suspension was unexpected ; but to 
those who, for some months, had been watching the progress of events, 
it was by no means marvellous. It was the unavoidable result of the 
diversion of specie to the west, .and the drain upon the banks in the 
Atlantic cities for exportation to Europe. By the friends of the admin- 
istration, with some exceptions, the measure was severely censured; 
by its opposers, it was deemed necessary and unavoidable, due to the 
country, and due to the stockholders. Yet every class lamented its 
necessity: and none could fail to perceive that it must reach, in its ul- 
timate effects, almost every individual, and have a bearing upon every 
order of business. Yet of the two ^vils, suspension was deemed the 
least. 

6. On the 15th of May, the president issued his 
proclamation requiring congress to convene in the city 
of Washington, on the first Monday of September, to 
attend to " great and weighty matters claiming consid- 
eration." 

To the committee of merchants, who had waited on the president on 
the 3d of May, and which had pressed the subject of an extra session 
of congress, he had replied, that he perceived no adequate reason for 
assembling the national legislature. The sudden and unexpected sus- 
pension of the banks essentially changed the views of the executive, 
and forced upon him a measure, which, but a few days before, he had 
declined. Not only were the mercantile interests of the country suffer- 
ing, but vow the g-overnment itself was likely to be embarrassed, and 
indeed it felt the pressure immediately. The deposit banks themselves 
had bowed to the general prostration, whereby the government was 
rendered incapable of discharging its obligations to the country, and to 
individuals. In this state of embarrassment, it was deemed severe 



VAN buren's administration. 367 

that the government should require specie only for all its dues, espe- 
cially wlien that specie was to be obtained only at extravagant premi- 
ums. But the treasury and post-office departments issued circulars, 
requiring collectors and postmasters to receive only specie, or the notes 
of specie-paying banks ; while, at the same lime, c-liecks and drafts 
were drawn by the government upon deposit banks which had suspend- 
ed ; and even instances occurred in which merchants' bonds were re- 
quired to be paid in specie, while checks upon the deposit banks, drawn 
by the government, were refused, when offered as payment in part of 
such bonds. Pressed as the government was known to be, these requi- 
sitions and measures bore severely on the people of the country, and 
excited loud and bitter complaints. 

7. On Monday, the 4th day of September, congress 
convened, agreeably to the summons of the executive, 
being the first session of the twenty-fifth congress. 
The house was organized by choosing James K. Polk, 
of Tennessee, speaker. 

8. The following day a message from the president 
was presented, in which, after alluding to the suspension 
of the banks, and the necessity that adequate provision 
should be made for the unexpected. exigencies affecting 
the government, which had arisen, and which were 
likely to exist, the president proceeded to assign the 
causes, which, in his view, had led to the pecuniary dis- 
tress of the country. These were over-action in busi- 
ness, arising from the excessive issues of bank paper, 
and other facilities for the acquirement and enlargement 
of credit ; the contraction of a large foreign debt ; invest- 
ments in unproductive lands ; vast internal improve- 
ments ; and the great loss sustained by the commercial 
emporium of the nation in the fire of Dec, 1835. 

9. The president next adverted to the best mode of 
keeping the public funds. A national bank, as a fiscal 
agent, he repudiated, and also local banks, they having 
failed to answer the expectations of the government in 
this particular. He would propose " a separation of the 
fiscal operations of the governinent from those of indi- 
viduals or corporations ;" a divorcement of the govern- 
ment from banks and banking, and a thorough change 
in the keeping and management of the public revenue. 



368 PERIOD XIV.— 1837 to 1841. 

As a means of immediate relief, he advised to the post- 
ponement of the fourth instahiient of the deposits with 
the states, and the issue of treasury notes, receivable for 
all public dues, but without interest. 

Both by the president and the secretary of the treasury a new mode 
was proposed of keeping the public revenue ; viz., to place it in the 
custody of commissioners, or receivers-general, at certain central points, 
subject to the call and control of the treasurer. Most of the money, 
it was supposed, could be paid out near the places where it was col- 
lected, and thus save the expense and hazard of transmission to the 
seat of government. " This organization," said the secretary, " would 
he advantageous as a separate establishment for this business alone, 
and as an independent check on most of those collecting the revenues." 

10. The extra session of cong-ress closed on the 16th 
of October. The two principal measures adopted, de- 
signed for the relief of the government, were the post- 
ponement to the 1st day of January, 1839, of the pay- 
ment of the fourth instalment of the deposits with the 
stales ; and the issue of treasury notes to an amount not 
exceeding ten millions of dollars, reimbursable in one 
year, and of denominations of not less than fifty dollars. 

In accordance with the recommendation of the president and secre- 
tary of the treasury, a bill was early introduced into the senate for the 
safe keeping of the public funds, commonly denomiinated the sub- 
treasury bill. This was intended to be the prominent measure of the 
session, and was urged with great power, and bj' numerous considera- 
tions, upon the senate and house of representatives. By the senate 
it was adopted, by a vote of 26 to 20. In the house, after undergoing 
an animated and protracted discussion, it was laid upon the table, by a 
Tote of 120 to 107. Subsequently, an effort was made to reconsider the 
Tote by which the bill was laid upon the table, but was lost, the motion 
for reconsideration being itself disposed of in the same manner, by a 
vote of 119 to 104. 

In his message, the president had ascribed to certain causes the dis- 
'tress and embarrassments of the country, which have already been 
noticed. The friends of his administration, in the course of the ses- 
sion, reiterated the same statements, and made the same explanations. 

To the opposition, these causes, and the arguments by which they 
were attempted to be supported, were insvfficient. Other and more 
adequate causes, they believed, existed, and could be pointed out. 

They claimed that, prior to that series of unfortunate measures, 
which had for its object the overthrow of the Bank of the United 
States, and the discontinuance of its fiscal agency for the government, 
no people upon earth ever enjoyed a better currency, or had exchanges 



VAN buren's administration. 369 

better reflated, than the people of the United States. Our monetary 
system appeared to have attained as great perfection as anything human 
can possibly reach. 

What a reverse, said they, and why has it come upon us ? Who 
can doubt that if the Bank of the United States had been re-chartered 
— that if the public deposits had remained undisturbed— and the specie 
circular, or treasury order, had never been issued, the currency would 
at this time be sound, and ttie suspension of specie payments been 
avoided? The president asserts that the suspension has proceeded 
from over-action — over-trading — the indulgence of a spirit of specula- 
tion, produced by the banks and other facilities. But whence the mul- 
tiplication of banks'? — whence these facilities? Are not these to be 
traced to the overthrow of the United States Bank, and the stimulation 
of the local banks to discount freely upon the deposits which were trans- 
/erred to them ? 

11. The second session of the 25th congress com- 
menced on the first Monday of Dec, 1837, and ended on 
the 9th day of Jul}'', 1838. In his message, the pre- 
sident represented the foreign relations of the country 
as amicable and favorable, excepting with Mexico and 
Portugal. The issue of four millions and a half of 
treasury notes would be necessary for the year. The 
attention of congress Avas again " invited to the neces- 
sity of additional legislative provision in respect to the 
collection, safe keeping, and transfer of the public 
money ;" and not understanding the action of the extra 
session on this subject as final, he again recommended 
the sub-treasury scheme, as, in his view, designed to 
subserve the interests of the country better than any 
other plan proposed. 

A bill to authorize the re-issue of treasury notes passed the house 
of representatives by a vote of 106 to 99. In^ the senate, for the bill 27, 
against it 13. 

During this session of congress, an event occurred, which excited the 
sensibilities of the whole nation, and called forth expressions of deci- 
ded disapprobation from the candid of all parties." This was a. duel 
fought with rifles near the city of Washington, between Jonathan Cil- 
ley and William J. Graves, "both members of the house, the former 
from Maine, the latter from Kentucky. On the third fire, Mr. Cilley 
fell, mortally wounded. 

The remains of the murdered man were attended to the grave by the 
president, the heads of department, the members of both houses of 
congress, and a large concourse of citizens. The judges of the supreme 
court, then in session, were invited to attend the funeral. Most honor- 



370 PERIOD XIV.— 1837 to 1841. 

able to themselves, and honorable to the exalted stations they held^ 
they entered upon their records the following resolves : 

Resolved., That the justices of the supreme court entertain a high re- 
spect for the character of the deceased, sincerely deplore his untimely 
death, and sympathize with his bereaved family in the heavy affliction 
which has fallen upon them. 

Resolved, That with every desire to manifest their respect for the 
house of representatives, and the comiiiiltees of the house by whom 
they have been invited, and for the memory of the deceased, the jus- 
tices of the supreme court cannot, consistenilij with the duties they owe 
to the public, attend in their official characters the funeral of one who 
has fallen in a duel. 

Resolved, That these proceedings be entered on the minutes of the 
court, and that the chief justice enclose a copy to the chairman of the 
committee of the house of representatives. 

The above tragical event justly excited the indignation of the nation. 
From every quarter a demand was made for some law to prevent such 
" wickedness in high places." At length, a bill for an act was reported 
by a committee appointed for that purpose, which passed by a vote of 
110 to 21. The first section provided, that if any person shall, in the 
District of Columbia, challenge another to fight a duel; or accept a 
challenge ; or shall knowingly carry a challenge to fight a duel in or 
out of the District of Columbia ; and such duel shall be fought in or out 
of said district, and either of the parties shall be slain or mortally 
wounded, the surviving party, and others connected, shall, on conviction, 
be punished by imprisonment and hard labor in the penitentiary for a 
term not exceeding ten years. 

A second section provided, that the mere challenge, or aiding and 
abetting a challenge, which resulted in no duel, should be punished as 
above, for a term o( five years. 

A third section provided, that if any person guilty of assaulting, 
striking, or wounding another, for refusing to accept a challenge ; or 
who shall post or publish any person, or use towards them opprobrious 
language, for refusing to accept a challenge, shall, on conviction, be 
punished as above for a term not exceeding three years. 

12. An event, important to the business of the country, 
occurred on the 13th of August, 1S38. This was the 
resumption of the payment of specie generally through- 
out the United States, by previous concert. 

On the 23d day of July previous, a convention was held in the city 
of Philadelphia, in which the banks of the states of Massachusetts, 
Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, Kentucky, and Missouri, were represented, and which unani- 
mously resolved to recommend the 13th of August as a suitable and 
convenient time, on which to resume. Accordingly, on the arrival of 
that day, the resumption was generally effected without commotion, 
without injury to themselves, and without inconvenience to the mercan- 
tile part of the community. 



VAN buren's administration. 371 

This was an event which had been lon^ devoutly looked for, and was 
welcomed by the whole country. Some anxiety was lelt as to the effect 
resumption would have upon the specie-paying banks; but, generally, 
it was accomplished with ease. In Philadelphia, where tins anxiety 
was perhaps the greatest, the demands for specie were confined to the 
wants of the community for change. 

13. On the 9th of October, however, of the following 
year, 1839, the banks of Philadelphia again suspended 
the payment of specie. This suspension was soon after 
followed by a suspension on the part of the banks in the 
interior of Pennsylvania, and of all the states south and 
west. 

The suspension of specie payments in May, 1836, was begun by the 
banks of New York, and the rest of the Union followed. In 1837, the 
banks of New York were required by law to resume. They naturally 
endeavored to induce other banks to do voluntarily, what they were 
compelled to do by law. The public also were anxious for resumption. 
An effort was made to accomplish this object, and was effected, con- 
trary, however, to the opinion of some of the ablest financiers of the 
country, who predicted a relapse. 

Unfortunately, the grain crops in England failed; in consequence of 
which large importations of grain were required. These were made, 
not from the United States, but from her neighbors, who could furnish 
it cheaper. But as they were small consumers of English products, 
specie chiefly was obliged to be advanced. This demand so drained 
the Bank of England, as to threaten that institution with suspension. 
By a natural consequence, money rose to a great value ; the staples of 
this country were unsalable, except at ruinous prices ; the stocks held 
by stales, banks, or by individuals, were wholly incontrovertible; 
leaving as the safest and the most favorite mode of payment, the ex- 
portation of specie. Large shipments of coin were made, leaving a 
deficiency in the vaults of the banks, and which was to be supplied by 
demands upon creditors to pay in gold and silver, which they could not 
do but at ruinous sacrifices, or to suspend specie payments for a season. 
This latter course was considered most conducive to the true interests 
of the public; and accordingly the banks in Philadelphia announced 
their suspension, which of course compelled the banks south and west, 
to adopt a similar measure. The banks of New York and New Eng- 
land, with some few temporary exceptions, resolved to continue the pay- 
ment of specie, which with great effort they were able to accomplish, 

14. The first session of the 26th congress convened 
at Washington, conformably to the constitution, on the 
second day of December, 1839. Unexpectedly, how- 
ever, the house of representatives was not organized 
for some weeks, in consequence of an exciting question 



S72 PERIOD XIV.— 1837 TO 1841. 

which arose as to the admission of the representatives 
from New Jersey, on the ground, that, while they had 
received certificates of election from the governor of that 
state, those certificates should have been given to others, 
who, it was claimed, had been duly elected. 

It is usual for the last clerk of the house of representatives to make 
out a list of members elect, which, at the precise hour of twelve o'clock 
of the day on which congress assembles, he proceeds to read. On the 
day and at the hour above mentioned, the clerk, Hugh A. Garland, 
rose at his desk, and said that, in conformity with the practice hereto- 
fore observed, he was now ready, if it was the pleasure of the house, 
to call a list, Avhich he had formed of members elect of the house of 
representatives for the twenty-sixth congress, at this its first session. 

No objections being made, the roll was commenced, and the members 
of the several New England states, and also those from the state of 
New York, answered to their names. 

He next proceeded to the state of New Jersey, and called the name 
of Joseph F. Randolph. Here he paused, and stated that there were 
five of the seats belonging to representatives of this state which were 
contested, and not feeling it to be his duty to decide the question of a 
right to them, he would, if such a course should be approved by the 
house, pass over the remaining names, until the other stales should 
have been gone through with ; after which he would submit such 
evidence as was in his possession, touching the several claimants to 
seats from that state. 

To this course, which would have been acceptable to some, there 
were strong objections. Besides, the whig members from New Jersey, 
on their part, demanded, that the evidences of their titles to seats 
should be read, and that, if their certificates were authentic, they should 
be admitted to equal rights with other members. 

Upon this representation and demand, the clerk stated that he had 
five certificates from the governor of New Jersey, declaring William 
Halsted (whose name stood next upon the roll) and John B. Aycrigg, 
J. P. B. Maxwell, Thomas Jones York, and Charles C. Shulton, to 
have been duly elected representatives from the state of New Jersey. 

Having these certificates duly attested, it was contended that, ac- 
cording to all former precedents, and agreeably to the laws of New Jer- 
sey, the above gentlemen should be admitted[ to their oath, that after 
the organization of the house, if their seats were claimed by others, 
the question could be taken up, examined, and fairly disposed of. On 
the other hand, it was claimed, that the seats of right belonged to other 
gentlemen, who had received a majority of votes in their respective 
districts, and who should have received certificates from the governor 
of New Jersey. 

The two political parties in congress were thus suddenly arrayed 
against each other, and the state of feeling which followed can scarcely 
be described. 

At length, the following resolution was offered to the house by Mr. 
Graves ; 



VAN buren's administeation. 873 

Resohed, That the acting cleric of the house shall proceed with the 
call of the members from the diflerent states of the Union in the usual 
way. calling the names of such members from TS^ew Jer^y as hold the 
regular and legal commissions from the executive of that'slale. 

The discussion of the above resolution was continued until it was 
apparent to the whole house— the clerk refusing to put it— that unless 
some other and extraordinary measure was adopted, commensurate with 
the difficulties in which they were involved, no organization could be 
effected. In this juncture, a resolution was offered, appointing Mr. 
Adams chairman of the house, which being adopted by a large major- 
ity, he was conducted to the chair. 

Under the guidance of Mr. Adams, the house proceeded on the 12th 
to ballot for a speaker. Six ballolings were taken, wlien, no choice 
having been made, an adjournment to the 16th was moved and carried. 
On this latter day, the balloting was resumed, and resulted, on the 
eleventh balloting, in the choice of Robert M. T. Hunter, the New Jer- 
sey members not voting. 

On the 20th, the question v:as taken on a resolution to administer the 
oath to the five gentlemen from the state of New Jersey, who had pre- 
sented credentials to the speaker and demanded to be sworn, and de- 
cided in the negative, 116 to 112. 

This decision created a great sensation throughout the Union. It 
was a wide departure from precedent, and deeply wounding to the pride 
of New Jersey, as well as injurious to her interests. 

The subsequent history of this case is interesting, but, in the opinion 
of the whig party, reflected great discredit on the majority in the house 
of representatives. An investigation of the subject was ordered, and 
the committee on elections entered upon the duty assigned them. They 
were proceeding in their investigation, when, on the 28th of February, 
the house directed the committee '' to report forthwith which five of 
the ten individuals claiming seats from the state of New Jersey, re- 
ceived the greatest number of lawful votes from the whole state for 
representatives in the congress of the United States, at the election of 
1838 in said state.'* 

This committee reported in favor of the five administration candidates. 
A minority report was at the same time presented, which was ordered 
to lie on the table. 

On the 10th of March, a resolution Avas introduced by Mr. Petriken, 
declaring the five persons who had brought no legal certificates, enti- 
tled to their seats, and directing the speaker to qualify them. 

The previous question being'moved by the author of the resolution, 
debate Avas suppressed, and the vote taken, and the resolution adopted 
by a vote of 111 to 81 ; several whig members refusing to vote. 

To a portion of the American people, no act could have appeared more 
arbitrary and unjust, however right and proper it might have seemed 
to the party in power ; nor could many divest themselves of the impres- 
sion, that this course was adopted to secure certain objects which the 
administration had in view. 

15. On Wednesday, December 4th, two days after the 
opening of congress, and while scenes of great interest 
32 



374 PERIOD XIV, — 1837 to 1841. 

and excitement were in progress in the capitol, a fully 
attended whig national convention assembled at Harris- 
burg, Pennsylvania, for the purpose of nominating can- 
didates for the office of president and vice-president of 
the United States. The deliberations of this convention 
at length resulted in the nomination of Gen. William 
Hemy Harrison, of Ohio, for the former, and John 
Tyler, of Virginia, for the latter. 

The whole number of votes cast for president was 254. Of these, 
General Scott received 16; Henry Clay 90; and General Harrison 148. 

The nomination thus made was unexpected to a considerable portion 
of the whig party. For a long time, their attention had been turned 
towards Henry Clay, and an anxious wish prevailed, on the part of his 
special friends, that he should be put in nomination. They confi- 
dently expected it. But antecedently to the meeting of the convention, 
it had been the general, and even the universal opinion, that when that 
body should assemble, and an interchange of views had been made, the 
jnan should be selected wlio, it was thought, could concentrate the 
greatest strength against the existing administration. Preferences 
were, therefore, to be surrendered at the shrine of the country's good. 
While, therefore, it was at first with painful emotions that the friends 
of Mr. Clay yielded, it was done with great unanimity, and even cheer- 
fulness, when it Avas perceived that by the nomination of Gen. Harri- 
son other influences and interests would be secured, which were likely 
to result in his election. 

16. Seldom has a congress of the United States held 
a session of such length, as was that of the first session 
of the twenty-sixth congress, without arriving at more 
important results. Two acts only of a public character 
are worthy of notice : the one providing " for the taking 
of the sixth census of the United States," and the 
other " for the collection, safe keeping, transfer and dis- 
bursement of the public revenue." 

The act, viz., that for the collection, &c., of the public revenue, 
usually denominated the sub-treasury system, may be regarded as the 
great financial measure of Mr. Van Buren's administration. It was 
early proposed by him, and in every subsequent message Avas urged 
upon the consideration of congress, as the best scheme which could be 
devised, by which the public revenue could be collected, safely kept, 
transferred, and disbursed. The debates on this system, l)y the sup- 
porters and opposers of the administration, during the several sessions 
m which it was agitatedj would fill volumes. By the president and his 



VAN buren's administration. 875 

friends, it was eulogized and warmly recommended ; by the opposition 
party, it was as pointedly resisted and condemned. On this measure, 
and others of a financial character connected with it, perhaps more than 
on any others, Mr. Van Buren staked his political fortune. With this, 
he entered into the election as a candidate for the presidency a second 
term. 

17. The second session of the twenty-sixth congress 
was begun and held on Monday, the 7th day of Decem- 
ber, 1840. On Wednesday following, Mr. Van Buren 
presented his last annual message. 

On the subject of the national finances, the president felicitated him- 
self, that, notwithstanding the various embarrassments which the gov- 
ernment had to encounter; the great increase of public expenditures by 
reason of the Florida war; the difficulty of collecting moneys still due 
from certain banks, and the diminution of the revenue, &c.. the busi- 
ness of the government had been carried on without the creation of a 
national debt. 

Nominally, it had indeed no such debt; but a few months following 
the accession of a new administration, the disclosure was officially 
made, that the country was deeply involved in debt, and congress was 
called upon to provide means to sustain the credit — the waning credit 
of the government. 

18. On the 10th of February, 1841, the ceremony of 
counting and announcing officially the votes for presi- 
dent and vice-president took place. 

At twelve o'clock of that day, the members of the senate, preceded 
by their sergeant-at-arms, the vice-president, (Col. Johnson,) the 
secretary and his assistants, bearing a box containing the different 
packages in which the votes were enclosed, went in procession to the 
hall of representatives, where seals had been provided for them on 
the right of the chair. The members of the house received the sena- 
tors standing. The vice-president was conducted to the speaker's 
chair, as presiding officer of the meeting. 

The assemblage being seated, the vice-president rose, and said, that, 
in conformity to the duty imposed by the constitution, he would now 
proceed to open the packages which had been addressed to him, con- 
taining the votes of the diflferent states. 

The votes having been counted, the vice-president announced the 
result as follows : — 

For president— William Henry Harrison, of Ohio, 234 ; Martin Van 
Buren, of New York, CO. For vice-president — John Tyler, of Vir- 
ginia, 234 ; Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, 48 ; Littleton W. Taze- 
well, of Virginia, 1 1 ; James K. Polk, of Tennessee, 1. 

Thus, for months, had a warm and exciting, and, in some cases, even 
angry contest been going on, moving the country from Georgia to Maine, 



376 PERIOD XV.— 1841. 

and affecting the most obscure and distant neighborhood and village of 
the west. 

The day of decision, however, had come. The freemen had been 
gathered to the polls; the mighty mass of interested human beings had 
cast in their votes , these votes had been collected and forwarded to the 
national metropolis ; and here, in the presence of the assembled coun- 
sellors of the nation, they were counted; and the final result was now 
officially announced, that William Henry Harrison was elected presi- 
dent of the United States, for four years from the ensuing fourth day 
of March. 



UNITED STATES. 

PERIOD XV. 

ADMINISTRATION OF HARRISON. 

Sec. 1. On the 4th of March, 1841, William Henry 
Harrison took the oath prescribed by the constitution, 
and entered upon the office of president of the United 
States. 

The ceremony of inauguration was, as usual, grand and imposing ; — 
the more so, perhaps, from an unwonted joy and enthusiasm ©n the 
occurrence of a change of administration, and a desire on the part of 
the friends of the new administration to give an appropriate welcome 
to the hero, whom they had elevated to office. 

The inaugural address of General Harrison was a clear, plam, and 
comprehensive document ; less stately than that of Washington ; less 
philosophic than .Tefferson's ; and less terse than Mr. Madison's ; but 
to the great body of the president's constituents, it was very acceptable. 
It contained a recognition and a decided approbation of the great prin- 
ciples and doctrines of the whig politicians and statesmen, and a pledge 
to administer the government according to the constitution, as under- 
stood by the fraviers of that important instrument, and the early admin' 
istrators of the government. 

In conclusion, the new president beautifully and forcibly alluded to 
the Christian religion, as intimately connected with, and essential to, 
the interests of the country. " I deem the present occasion," said hC; 



' -Harrison's administration. 377 

" sufficiently important and solemn, to justify me in expressing to my 
fellow-citizens a profound reverence for the Christian religion, and a 
thorough conviction that sound morals, religious liberty, and a just 
sense of religious responsibility, are essentially connected with all true 
and lasting happiness ; and to that good Being who has blessed us by 
the gifts of civil and religious freedom, who watched over and prosper- 
ed the labors of our fathers, and who has hitherto preserved to us in- 
stitutions fa? exceeding in excellence those of any other people, let us 
unite in fervently commending every interest ofour beloved country in. 
all future time." 

2. The new senate, having- been convened, proceeded^ 
shortly after the induction of General HaiTison into 
office, to confirm the nominations made by him, of gen- 
tlemen whom he wished to constitute his cabinet. 

Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, was appointed Secretary of State ; 
Thomas Ewing, of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury ; .Tohn Bell, of 
Tennessee, Secretary of War ; George E. Badger, of North Carolina, 
Secretary of the Navy ; John J. Crittenden, of Kentucky, Attorney 
General: and Francis Granger, of New York, Postmaster General. 

3. The new administration had now been organized ; 
the party which had coime into power were grateful for 
the change, connected, as they believed it to be, with a 
change of policy, by which., the government would be 
administered; they were satisfied with the president; 
with his inaugural address ; with the principles and 
pledges which that address contained ; they were more 
than satisfied with the distinguished names composing 
the cabinet counsellors of the president. Thus, all 
things were combining to fulfil the nation's joy, and 
were full of promise in respect to the future — when, un- 
expectedly, rumors of a sad sickness, lohich had suddenly 
fallen upon General Harrisoii, were spread through the 
nation, and before those rumors could have reached the 
limits of the country, they were followed by the intelli- 
gence of his death ! 

In one short month from the time he stood on the steps of the 
eastern portico of the capitol, lifting his hand to heaven, and swearing 
to be faithful to God and his country, he was a pallid corpse in the 
National mansion. 

On the morning of the 4th of April, the members of the cabinet is- 
sued the following circular to the nation; 

32=^ 



378 PERIOD XV.— 1841. 

" An all-wise Providence having suddenly removed from this life 
William Henry Harrison, late president of the United States ; we 
have thought it our duty, in the recess of congress, and in the absence 
of the vice-president from the seat of government, to make this afflict- 
ing bereavement known to the country, by this declaration, under our 
hands. 

'* He died at the president's house, in this city, this fourth day of 
April, Anno Domini 1841, at thirty minutes before one o'clock in the 
morning. 

" The people of the United States, overwhelmed, like ourselves, by an 
event so unexpected and so melancholy, will derive consolation from 
knowing that his death was calm and resigned, as his life has been 

f>atriotic, useful, and distinguished ; and that the last utterance of his 
ips expressed a fervent desire for the perpetuity of the constitution, 
and the preservation of its true principles. In death, as in life, the 
happiness of his country was uppermost in his thoughts." 

Thus ends all human greatness ! 

" The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, 
And all that beanty, all that wealth e'er gave, 
Await, alike, the inevitable hour — 
The paths of glory lead — but to the grave." 

For such a bereavement, the nation was in no wise prepared. It 
came upon them with the suddenness of lightning, and as a thunder- 
bolt from the hand of Almighty power. The mourning was sincere, as 
it was deep and universal. Even political opponents united to do the 
deceased president honor. Funeral processions were had in every 
principal city ; and funeral orations were pronounced in his favor ; or 
funeral discourses delivered by the ministers of religion, in which suit- 
able admonitions were imparted to the people. 

4. The legitimate successor, by the constitution, to the 
presidential chair, on the demise of General Harrison, 
was John Tyler, of Virginia, who had been elected to the 
office of vice-president, at the time the former had suc- 
ceeded to that of president, and who now entered upon 
the administration of the government. 



Harrison's administration. 379 



NOTES, 

EMBRACING A BRIEF SKETCH OF THE PRESENT CONDITION 
• OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

5. Manners. Two centuries have elapsed since the 
first settlements were commenced in the United States 
by Europeans, yet the people have not acquired that 
uniform character, which belongs to ancient nations, 
upon whom time and the stability of institutions have 
imprinted a particular and individual character. Al- 
though partial changes have occurred, which have been 
noticed in the progress of this work, yet, so far down as 
the present time, the essential variations which have taken 
place are few. The general physiognomy is nearly as 
varied as the origin of the population is different. 

A marked distinction undoubtedly exists between the inhabitants of 
the commercial and maritime towns and the villages of the country. 
The former, in a more considerable degree, as to luxury and vice, re- 
semble the great towns of Europe. Those of the country who lead an 
agricultural life, preserve much of the simplicity, with something of the 
roughness, of former days; but they enjoy all that iiappiness which pro- 
ceeds from the exercise of the social virtues in their primitive purity. 
Their affections are constant; felicity crowns the conjugal imion; pa- 
rental authority is sacred; infidelity, on the part of the wife, is almost 
unknown: crime is rare, mendicity and theft uncommon. 

The people generally are enterprising, industrious, persevering, and 
submissive to government. They are also intelligent, brave, active, 
and benevolent, and possess a strength and agility of body which are 
seldom united in so great a degree. With somewhat of the appearance 
of apathy, and under a sober exterior, strong feelings, and a capacity 
for the most lively sallies, are concealed. As the benefits of education 
are extensively diffused, the ingenuity and intelligence of the people 
have been displayed to advantage, if not in the higher walks of litera- 
ture, yet in tlie useful branches of knowledge, and in the arts which 
multiply the comforts of life. 

6. Religion. The principal religious denominations 
in the United States, at present, are Baptists, Metho- 
dists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Episco- 
palians. 



380 ^ PERIOD XV,— 1841. 

The Baptists have about 6000 churches or congregations'; the number 
of churclies belonging to the Methodists is unknown; their ministers are 
over 3000; and their communicants nearly 700,000. The Presbyterian 
churches (regular) are nearly 3000. The Congregationalists have 1300 
churches; Episcopalians 950; Friends 500; German Reformed 600; 
Lutherans 750. Besides these, the Unitarians, Universalists, Catho- 
lics, Christians, and Dutch Reformed have numerous congregations. 

It is not to be disguised that mucli irreligion and vice prevail, and 
that a spirit of infidelity exists, though in a form ujore concealed than 
formerly, and under more decent names. Nor does it become us to 
deny, that in a time of so much religious action and religious news, by 
which attention is occupied, there is danger of a sujjerficial acquain* 
tance with the doctrines of the Bible, among the mass of professors. 
Yet, whate\-er may be the danger from this source, we are persuaded 
that such exertions are altogether congenial with the precepts of the 
gospel, and will in the end produce a vastly counterbalancing good. 
The exigencies of the church, and of the times, require precisely such a 
spirit of benevolent enterprise, to be increased, we trust, witli the 
growth of tiie nation. 

7. Trade and Commerce. The commerce of the 
United States consists, principally, in the exchange of 
agricultural produce for the manufactures of other parts 
of the world, and the productions of the tropical climates. 
The principal articles of domestic produce, exported, are 
cotton, wheat, flour, biscuit, tobacco, lumber, rice, pot 
and pearl ashes, Indian corn and meal, dried and pickled 
fish, beef, r3'^e, pork, &c. 

Of these exports. New England and New York are the great carri- 
ers. To them belong nearly two-thirds of all the shipping of the United 
States. The states south of the Potomac own only one eighth part. 
Our staple articles are principally the growth of the Southern States, 
and are carried coastwise from the southern to the middle states, Avhence 
they are sent to foreign countries, almost entirely, in ships owned by 
northern merchants, and navigated by northern seamen. 

The exports from the United States are sent to various countries, 
but the British dominions always receive the largest portion of our do- 
mestic produce, particularly cotton. The Spanish, Portuguese and 
French dominions have usually received the most, next to the British. 

The goods received in return for exports, are, generally, the manufac- 
tures of those countries to which the exports are carried. From 
Great Britain are imported vast quantities of woollen and cotton goods, 
and manufactures of iron, steel, brass, copper, glass, earthen ware, 
silk, &c. From China we receive tea and silk; from Russia, iron and 
hemp. Coffee comes from the colonies of the European powers in 
America and the East Indies ; sugar from the East and W est Indies ; 



hareison's administration. 381 

TQin iroia ilie British and Danish West Indies. Wines are, princi- 
pally, fi'oni France, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, and the Canary Isles; 
brandy from France, Spain, Italy, &c. Notwithstanding the large 
amount of cotton, tobacco, lumber, &c., sent to Great Britain, yet the 
balance with that country is, and always has been, against u:5. 

8. A<jRicuLTURE. A new era has recently com- 
menced in relation to agriculture, which, as a science 
and an art, is receiving that degree of attention which 
its importance demands. It is beginning to be regarded 
as it should be, not only as the basis of population and 
subsistence, but as the parent of individual and national 
opulence. 

The proportion of the inhabitants of the United States devoted to 
agricultural pursuits, is large. The proportion probably exceeds one 
fifth of the whole population; or, excluding children and females, about 
two thirds of all the males over ten years ot age. Four states only pro- 
duce more than ij^lOO to each head of the population — viz., Vermont, 
Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. Of these, Vermont takes the 
lead, producing ^'148 per head, and consequently must be considered 
the most enterprising, industrious and thrifty agricultural state in the 
Union. 

Massachusetts is lowest in tiie scale ; but that state is engaged exten- 
sively in commerce and manufactures. 

The states most devoted to planting and farming, or whose products 
are chiefly agricultural, are mostly the southern and western. All the 
New England and middle states, as also Ohio, are veiy considerably 
manufacturers, «ind the most of them have a large commercial and navi- 
gation interest — causes which operate to draw away hands from agri* 
culture. 

The average productions per head is ^77,50. Fourteen states rise 
above this average ; tlje remaining fall below it. 

9. Arts and Manufactures. Manufacturing estab- 
lishments in the United States have become quite nu- 
merous, and embrace nearly every variety of workman- 
ship required either by the necessities or luxurious 
habits of the people. Until recently, several manufac- 
turing interests have suffered for want of greater protec- 
tion ; this, however, by the recent tariif, has generally 
been remedied. 

The number of persons employed in manufactures in the United 
States, as appears by the census of 1840, is 791,545, more than double 



382 PERIOD XV.— 1841. 

tlie number so employed in 1820. Rhode Island has a greater propjor- 
tion engaged in manufactures than any other state, and next in order 
are Massachusetts and Connecticut. Pennsylvania and New Jersey 
also rank high as manufacturing states. 

10. Population. The population of the United 
States, according to, the census of 1840, was seven- 
teen millions, sixty-eight thousand, six hundred and 
sixty-six. 

The white population is 14,289,108; colored, 2,779,558. Of the 
colored population less than 400,000 are free. The longevity of the 
colored inhabitants, whether free or in slavery, is greater in proportion 
than among the whites. IVot one individual in Rhode Island, accord- 
ing to the census, has reached one hundred years; rn Iowa not one 
exceeds ninety. There are more males under fifteen than females; 
more females between fifteen and twenty than males, and this propor- 
tion is reversed until they reach seventy, when the proportion again 
varies in favor of the females. Over one hundred years, however, the 
males are decidedly more numerous. The Avhole number of white deaf 
and dumb, is 6,600 — colored, 977. Blind, whites, 5,024 — colored, 
1892. Insane and idiots, white, 14,500 — colored, 2,900. There are 
no slaves in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and Michig-an. There 
is but one in New Hampshire — one in Ohio — and two in Indiana. 

11. Education. The education of youth, which is 
so essential to the well-being of society, and intiraately 
connected with the political prosperity of a republican 
government, has received, as has been noticed in the 
progress of this work, considerable attention in the Uni- 
ted States, in every period since their settlement. The 
present state of our primary and higher schools, of our 
colleges, universities, and other establishments of educa- 
tion, is more flourishing than at any former period ; 
their number is annually increasing, and a more liberal 
spirit, in respect to their endowment, is prevailing. 

By the returns of 1840 the number of universities and colleges in the 
United States, is 173. Number of students, 16,233. Academies and 
grammar schools, 3,242 — number of scholars, 164,159. Primaiy and 
common schools, 47,209 — number of scholars, 1,845,244. Number of 
persons employed in the learned professions and engineers, 65,236. 

The foregoing facts, in relation to our common and higher institu- 
tions of learning, no American can regard witli indiflerenee. Like the 



Harrison's administration. 383 

Sight of heav«n, science cheei's, beautifies, adorns. To its influence 
America is indebted for no small share of her civil and religious free- 
■dom, and intimately connected with its progress are tlie future honor 
and happiness of our country. An intelligent people will ultimately 
select intelligent rulers, and intelligent rulers will be likely to manage 
safely the government confided to their trust. " There is scarcely one 
instance brought," says Bacon, " of a disastrous government, where 
learned men have l>8en seated at the helm." It is a delightful thought 
that over 2,000,000 of the children and youth of our country are daily 
applying themselves to the more than 50,000 fountains of instructioa 
scattered over the land — and me imbibing that knowledge which shall 
enable them to act well their part on the future theatre of life. 



REFLECTIONS. 

Upon concluding this history of our countiy, we can scarcely refraia 
from asking. Who of our ancestors anticipated resuUs from their toils so 
stupendous as those which we behold *! Who of them predicted, while 
they were laying up the pines of the forest for a shelter, that they were 
commencing an empire, which, within little more than two centuries, 
would extend thousands of miles, and embrace, within its bosom, seven- 
teen millions of tlie human race 1 Who then thought of cities, with 
their busy population, a thousand miles from the waters of the Atlantic 1 
or of fleets, on inland seas, proceeding to and retm-ning from, distant 
voyages 1 or of navies pouring forth their thunder and their flame 1 
Such results entered not into sober calculation, and were beyond even the 
dreams of fancy. Yet two centuries have brought them to pass. 

The branch which our fathers planted, under the fostering cave of 
Heaven, rose, extended, invigorated. It acquired stability by oppres- 
sion, and gathered importance from the efibrts which were made to 
crush it. In the progress of our history, Ave have seen the American 
people, while sustaining only the character of colonists, and struggling 
with the discouragements and difficulties of new settiements, main- 
taining at their own expense, and bringing to prosperous conclusion, 
wars which a selfish and jealous mother country, by her pride arid im- 
prudence, had occasioned. We have seen these colonies, amidst all the 
oppressions which they experienced, through exactions, and calumnies, 
loss of charters, and one abridgment of liberty after another, still main- 
taining their loyalty — still indulging the feelings, and adopting the lan- 
guage of affection, until justice, and patriotism, and religion, bid them 
rise to assert their rights which the God of nature designed for all his 
rational ofi'spring. 

Through a long and trying war, in which inexperience had to contend 
with discipline, and poverty with wealth, we see them pledging their 
fortunes, liberties, and lives, to one another, and, to tlte astonishment 
of the world, accomplishing their emancipation. And, when emancipa- 
ted and transformed into an independent nation, we see them calmly 



384 PERIOD XV. — 1841. 

betaking themselves to the organization of a government, unJer a consti- 
tution as wise as it was singnlar, and whose excellency and competency 
the experience of more than fifty years has confirmed. Simultaneously 
•with these events, what extensive conquests have been made on the wil- 
derness ! Deserts have put on beauty and frnkfulness, and a -way been 
constantly extending towards the waters of tlie Pacific, for the advance 
of civilization and religion. 

Had we the spirit of prophecy, in respect to the future condition of 
America, this would not be the place to indulge it. No nation, how- 
ever, ever possessed,- in a higher degree, the means of national pros- 
perity. Our territory is ample — our soil fertile — oar climate pro- 
pitious — om- citizens enterprising, brave,^ and persevering. A sea- 
coast of three thousand miles, inland seas, numerous canals, facilitate for- 
eign and domestic trade. Being free and independent of other nations, we 
can frame our laws, and Gishion our institutions, as experience and an en- 
lightened policy shall dictate. Our universities and colleges are yearly 
qualifying numbers for the higher professions of life,, while our acade- 
mies and schaols are diffusing intelligence to an unparalleled extent 
among our virtuous yeomanry. 

The Bible and the institutions of Christianity are with us,, and are 
presenting to us all the blessings which religion can impart. Thus cir- 
cumstanced,, what should prevent our country from advancing to that 
eminence of national happiness, beyond which national happiness can- 
not extend 1 — " Manufactures may here rise — busy commerce,, inland 
and foreign, distribute our surplus produce, augment our capital^ 
give energy to industry, improvement to roails, patronage to arts and 
sciences, vigor to schools, and universality to the institutions of reli- 
gion; reconciling' civil liberty with eflicient government; extended pop- 
ulation with concentrated action; and unparalleled wealth with sobriety 
and morality." 

Let but the spirit,, the practical wisdom, the religious integrity, of the 
first jilanters of our soil, prevail among rulers and subjects — let God be 
acknowledged, by giving that place to hi^ word and institutions which 
they claim — and all these blessings are ours. We shall enjoy peace 
with nations abroad, and tranquillity at home. As years revolve, the 
tide of our national prosperity will flow broader and deeper. In the 
beautiful language of inspiration — " Our sons will be as plants grown 
up in their youth, and our daugiiters as corner-stones, polished after the- 
similitude of a palace. Our garners will be full, including all riianner 
of stores ; our sheep will bring forth by thousands and ten thousands j 
our oxen will be strong to l;djor: and tliere will be no breaking in, or 
going out, or complaining in our streets. — Happy is that people that 19 
in such a case ; yea, happy is that people whose God is the Lord.'' 



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